Social & Environmental Impact Regeneration & Resilience

What 2026 Will Demand from Corporate Sustainability — and Why Consumers Want Companies Leading with Nature

A new consumer report from the Arbor Day Foundation indicates that 2026 could bring a sharper focus on nature-based sustainability efforts.

Brand Provided | By Dan Morrow and Arbor Day Foundation | Published 18 hours ago | About a 3 minute read

What Consumers Are Now Expecting from Corporate Sustainability

It’s no surprise that consumer expectations shape how brands operate. A new consumer report from the Arbor Day Foundation indicates that 2026 could bring a sharper focus on nature-based sustainability efforts, especially those involving trees. The study, conducted with The Harris Poll, reveals that 95% of people recognize the value of trees, 85% say companies should actively support tree planting or reforestation, and more than two-thirds are more likely to support a business working to reduce or offset its carbon footprint.

The report also shows that consumers aren’t just talking about sustainability — they’re acting on it. And they want companies to do the same. With growing consumer pressure for brands to deliver real environmental impact, here are five trends that could take hold in 2026.

Trend #1: Consumers Want to Make an Environmental Impact, Together

Americans feel personally motivated to make environmentally conscious choices, but they don’t want to shoulder the responsibility alone. More than half want to be part of a collective effort, and a significant share believe companies can drive more meaningful impact than individuals working separately. For brands, 2026 is the year to create on-ramps for consumers to participate in environmental action — not as spectators, but as partners.

Trend #2: Purchase Decisions Could Track More Closely with Environmental Values

Half of consumers now look for environmental information before making a purchase. They’re not searching for aspirational branding so much as clarity: what a company is doing, how it’s doing it, and where progress can be seen. In 2026, clear communication about environmental commitments will be foundational to earning trust and maintaining loyalty.

Trend #3: Nature-Based Action Could Become a Primary Brand Engagement Strategy

Americans see trees and green spaces as essential to daily life — cooler neighborhoods, cleaner air, shade, privacy, safety, and beauty. They engage with nature regularly through walking, reading outdoors, and simply decompressing. Nature-based solutions give companies a powerful avenue to create visible, relatable impact — the kind that strengthens community ties and builds trust. In 2026, nature won’t be a sustainability “add-on.” It will be one of the most direct ways for consumers to experience a company’s values.

Trend #4: Companies Could Be Expected to Bridge Gaps in Access to Nature

Even though Americans overwhelmingly value trees and green spaces, access isn’t equal. The Canopy Report reveals that many people have to travel just to reach their nearest green space, and most wish their neighborhoods had more trees. That disconnect creates a clear role for companies in 2026: helping expand access to nature in the places that need it most. Supporting tree planting in areas with low canopy — or in communities facing extreme heat, poor air quality, or limited outdoor space — is an opportunity to deliver meaningful, visible benefit.

Trend #5: Nature-Based Environmental Action Will Continue to Be a Unifying Force

It’s hard to find anything that 90% of Americans agree on, yet nearly nine in ten believe trees support public health. This consensus spans geography, income, and perspective. The broad support for trees reflects something bigger: nature-based climate solutions are widely understood, widely valued, and widely supported. In 2026, companies may increasingly lean into nature-based action to advance sustainability goals while building trust across audiences.

What This Means for Corporate Sustainability Leaders in 2026

Taken together, these trends point to a clear direction for the year ahead: 2026 will reward companies that support sustainability efforts people can connect with.

Tree planting and reforestation stand out because they offer the compounded benefits of climate impact, community value, and broad public support. They give companies a way to demonstrate leadership, strengthen trust, and contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.

As corporate sustainability teams chart their paths into 2026, the opportunity is straightforward: lead with nature, make impact visible, and build sustainability strategies that resonate with both people and place.