Analysts working at investment giant Fidelity International, the $706bn asset manager, predict almost a quarter of all the companies they cover will be carbon neutral by 2030, with more European firms set to achieve this landmark goal ahead of their peers based in other regions.

The poll of 144 analysts found they expect 24% of all companies covered to have reached the landmark climate goal by the end of the decade, reflecting growing pressure from large shareholders for organisations to move to more sustainable business models to fend off climate change risk.