What if the world’s most powerful companies got it right?

Whether it’s powering homes, building infrastructure, or transporting millions of people, the world’s largest companies shape how our cities function. Their decisions create ripple effects across communities, economies and ecosystems, touching billions of lives every single day. That’s why we measure their footprint. Understanding the power and reach of companies that dominate our cities is the first step in holding them accountable. It lets us imagine a more inclusive, resilient urban future that is only possible if they step up and lead the way on sustainability – and shows us what’s at stake if they don’t.

The real consequences of corporate sustainability performance for cities around the world

WBA’s benchmarked companies aren’t just the world’s largest corporate by revenue or market cap. They also dominate production in key sectors, serve a disproportionate share of the world’s population, affect global employment through their vast supply chains, and have operations that span every corner of the globe.

Measuring company footprint helps us pinpoint where leverage and responsibility lie. It reveals which companies can drive systemic change, into perspective;how deep the consequences of inaction go, and shows how transformative progress could be if they use their scale for good.

We analysed the footprint of the 300 companies in our Urban Benchmark, spanning construction, real estate, transport and utilities sectors. Delivering housing and essential services in over 180 countries and 95% of megacities worldwide, these companies have some of the largest impacts on people in cities. Their collective footprint is staggering, and so is their potential to transform cities.

Utilities companies – meeting universal basic needs

As essential services are increasingly privatised, cities globally are becoming dependent on a handful of companies for access to energy and water. Just 57 energy companies serve 1.4 billion customers – reaching an estimated 3.6 billion people – while 33 water companies serve around 800 million people. Yet access remains far from universal. In 2024 2.2 billion people lacked safely managed drinking water while nearly half of Sub-Saharan Africa still lives without electricity. Even in connected regions, people face unreliable supply, with frequent outages and bills they can’t afford. If these companies strengthen their sustainability commitments, they can ensure that every hospital school and home has access to reliable, clean energy and water.

Transport companies – easing congestion and connecting people with jobs

Public transport operators are critical to daily life, especially in fast-growing megacities. The fifty urban transport companies in our list conduct 443 million passenger trips per day – that’s over 162 billion trips a year. In China alone, eight major operators serve 85 million people daily. While their scale is impressive significant challenges remain, including inadequate capacity, patchy connectivity, and poor reliability especially in low-income communities. If these companies invest in clean equitable transport systems, they could reduce pollution and congestion connect people with jobs and enable more inclusive and efficient mobility in cities around the world.

Real estate companies – closing the housing gap

Real estate giants develop and own a vast portion of homes offices and public spaces in the cities we live in. The 95 real estate firms we assess control over 73 billion square feet of property, equivalent to nine times the land area of New York City, or 1.5 times the total floor space of every building in the United States. Collectively, their holdings are worth $2.8 trillion. But while their portfolios grow, the housing crisis deepens. Today, up to 3 billion people struggle to afford housing and more than 1.1 billion people live in slums or informal settlements. These companies have the power to close the housing gap if they shift towards more inclusive housing models that cater for all income groups.

Construction companies – making cities safe and future-proof

Construction companies don’t just build cities - they determine how safe and sustainable they are. The 55 largest firms in this sector operate in over 180 countries, including 41 of the world’s 43 megacities, delivering critical housing infrastructure and commercial spaces. With such extensive reach, the sector plays a pivotal role in everything from housing supply to climate resilience. But construction is also resource-intensive, with major impacts on air quality, waste production and worker safety. As urban populations grow and climate risks intensify, the need for sustainable building is greater than ever. If construction companies lead on low-carbon materials, safe labor practices, and resilient infrastructure, they can help create cities that are not only bigger, but fairer and more future-proof.

The footprint data makes it clear that a handful of companies dictate the future of our cities. If companies with this much influence continue to underperform on sustainability, the consequences are real and vast – cities will become increasingly crowded, polluted, unequal and unaffordable. But if they act differently they have the power to make cities accessible to everyone and prepared to withstand future challenges.