Sustainability isn’t slowing down. It’s speeding up.
In a year marked by political pushback and regulatory rollbacks, many expected businesses to retreat from sustainability. But our International Business Report (IBR) data tells a different story.
Sustainability is embedded at the core of mid-market businesses — they see it as a path to growth, not a compliance burden.
Our latest report explores how the mid-market is driving a more sustainable planet through continued investment and a clear strategic drive to make a change.
Sustainability is no longer simply a box-ticking exercise for mid-market firms — it’s a business imperative.
Our data shows that businesses are using sustainability to drive efficiency, open markets internationally and build real business resilience. By investing responsibly — and with a purpose — the mid-market is demonstrating how to create a sustainable global economy that’s not only good for business now, but fit for the future.
Read on to discover the path the mid-market is taking to reframe the sustainability story.
In a year defined by economic uncertainty and political pushback, mid-market firms are defying expectations. Our report explores how sustainability has become a strategic lever for growth, helping businesses outperform competitors and build long-term value.
With shifting regulations and rising scepticism, many expected sustainability reporting to stall. Instead, mid-market firms are doubling down. We reveal how reporting is evolving into a tool for resilience, purpose and performance.
Regulatory reform isn’t slowing the mid-market — it’s unlocking new possibilities. Our IBR data shows how businesses are using relaxed regulatory mandates to align sustainability with strategy, expand globally and take ownership of their journey.
Sustainability isn’t without its challenges. But mid-market firms are reframing barriers as strategic questions — and finding answers. We explore how businesses are navigating cost, complexity and uncertainty to build lasting advantage.
In Vietnam, sustainability is increasingly becoming a core pillar of mid-market growth strategies. According to the International Business Report (IBR) by Grant Thornton, 80% of mid-market businesses in Vietnam have implemented three or more sustainability initiatives, significantly above global and regional averages.
At the macro level, Vietnam is also accelerating its sustainability agenda. The government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 at COP26, while introducing key frameworks such as a national green taxonomy and promoting green finance across the banking system. According to the State Bank of Vietnam, green credit accounted for approximately 4.5% of total outstanding loans in 2023 and continues to grow steadily, signalling a gradual shift of capital towards sustainable activities.
In parallel, Vietnam is preparing to pilot a carbon market from 2025, initially covering major emitting sectors, marking a significant step towards formalising carbon pricing mechanisms and strengthening emissions governance, as reported by Reuters.
Together, these developments indicate that Vietnam is not only keeping pace with global sustainability trends but is also building the policy and financial foundations needed to support long-term sustainable growth. In this context, mid-market businesses are well positioned to leverage sustainability as a strategic driver of resilience and competitive advantage.
Explore how mid-market businesses are responding to global disruption and building resilience through strategy, technology, and supply chain adaptation from Grant Thornton Vietnam International Business Report.
Grant Thornton's latest International Business Report (IBR) for Q2 2025 reveals a nuanced picture for mid-market businesses worldwide. While overall global optimism has seen a slight decrease (down two points from Q1 2025), a significant majority of businesses (71%) still express optimism for the next 12 months, highlighting continued resilience.
Discover how mid-market businesses are adapting to shifting global tariffs and sustaining growth amid ongoing uncertainty. A deep-dive analysis from Grant Thornton Vietnam.