How Companies Can Turn Sustainability into a Competitive Advantage in 2026

• Sustainability efforts in 2026 can drive overall performance and growth.

• Luca De Ferrari of UL Solutions discussed sustainability on a recent podcast.

• UL Solutions offers insights on turning sustainability into a competitive advantage.

For many global companies, sustainability efforts began with reporting activities - tracking emissions, adapting to regulatory changes, setting targets and responding to customer expectations. While those activities remain essential, leading organizations are asking a fundamental question: How can sustainability drive real performance and growth across the business?

These organizations view sustainability as an integral part of an overall business strategy.

Luca De Ferrari, senior director, Americas sales, Risk & Compliance Software at UL Solutions, recently discussed the opportunities and challenges of sustainability efforts during his appearance on the esteemed podcast "The Optimistic Outlook," presented by Siemens.

De Ferrari joined the podcast's guest host, Erica Call, head of U.S. sustainability consulting and energy services for Siemens Buildings, to reflect on how organizations are moving from goal setting to actionable plans and execution.

De Ferrari and Call observed that in the manufacturing and industrial sector, a sustainability focus is increasingly helping businesses de-risk global supply chains, improve cost efficiency in operations, and design products with lower environmental impact. This focus is also becoming a powerful way to differentiate products in competitive markets, where customers are looking for transparency and long-term value, not just claims.

Just as importantly, sustainability is helping companies build resilience for future disruptions, from evolving regulations to supply chain volatility.

The March 24 episode of "The Optimistic Outlook" is available via the Siemens siteand on all major podcast platforms.

UL Solutions works with customers to apply sustainability principles in ways that support their operational, risk management and product innovation goals. Learn more at the UL Solutions site.