Global Corporate Survey 2019: EHS Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences

Published 15 November 2019 by Yaowen Ma, Molly Blackwell & Steve Bolton,

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Executive Summary

This report helps environment, health and safety (EHS) executives to benchmark their firms’ EHS budgets, investment priorities and technology use relative to their global peer group. Executives at EHS consulting and technology providers also can use the survey findings to support their strategic decision-making and business planning. Verdantix gathered this data by interviewing 403 EHS decision-makers across 35 countries and 25 industries. Of these respondents, 79% represented firms with revenues greater than $1 billion and 66% held role titles of director or above. More than half the respondents anticipated that their firms’ budgets for various EHS activities will grow during 2020, with notable new investments for incident management, environmental compliance, product compliance, and EHS training, learning and knowledge development. The data also show that buyers increasingly are searching for consultants that have experience with EHS digital technologies and can deliver enhanced EHS services using digital solutions.

Table of contents

Interviewing EHS Executives For Procurement And Technology Priorities
Annual Global Survey Of Over 400 EHS Decision-Makers
EHS Decision-Makers Prioritize Digital Transformation And IoT Integrations

EHS Digital Technology Is Responding To Emerging Demands
EHS Executives Are Embracing Diverse Digital Technologies
Adopting And Implementing New EHS Technologies Is Challenging

EHS Budgets Will Grow By 5% During 2020, On A Global Basis
Training, Learning And Resource Development Budgets Will Increase The Most
Incident And Environmental Management Will Grow Most, Among EHS Areas

Table of figures

Figure 1. Industry Categorizations Of Firms
Figure 2. Geographic Locations Of Respondents
Figure 3. Priority For Innovation By EHS Function
Figure 4. Involvement In Digital Transformation By EHS Function
Figure 5. Perception Of Internet Of Things (IoT) And/Or Wearable Devices
Figure 6. Adoption Of Digital Technologies In 2020 
Figure 7. Adoption Of Software By EHS Processes In 2020
Figure 8. Barriers To Improving EHS Performance
Figure 9. Factors That Limit Adoption Of Commercial EHS Software
Figure 10. Change In Total EHS Spend In 2020 Compared To 2019
Figure 11. Change In Spend Across EHS Categories In 2020
Figure 12. Change In Spend On EHS Activities Between 2019 To 2020
Figure 13. EHS Software: 2020 Investment Plans
Figure 14. Evaluation Criteria For EHS Software Selection
Figure 15. Acceptability Of Different EHS Software Deployment Options
Figure 16. EHS Consulting Projects: 2020 Investment Plans
Figure 17. Evaluation Criteria For EHS Consulting Providers

About the authors

Yaowen Ma

Principal Analyst

Yaowen is a Principal Analyst at Verdantix conducting research on EHS and ESG information management. His current agenda focuses on digital technologies, best practices and growth strategies across EHS, product stewardship, sustainability performance and ESG risk management. Yaowen has more than seven years of experience managing and delivering EHS and ESG research and consulting engagements to corporates, vendors, investors and industry associations. He holds a dual major bachelor’s degree in environmental management and international relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

Molly Blackwell

Analyst

Molly is an analyst in the Verdantix EHS practice. Her current research agenda focuses on the priorities and trends within the EHS software market, industrial wearables and operational sustainability. Previously a Research Analyst for the L&D industry, Molly holds a first-class social science degree from Lancaster University.

Steve Bolton

Research Director

Steve leads the Verdantix EHS research practice, based out of our New York office. He has 25 years of experience advising on sustainability, EHS, circular economy, corporate social responsibility and other business value topics. Steve received a dual environmental science and public policy Bachelor's degree from The College of William and Mary, a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University, and an MBA degree from James Madison University.

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