Global Corporate Survey 2024: EHS Budgets, Priorities And Tech Preferences
14 Aug, 2024
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Executive Summary
This report helps EHS executives benchmark their firms’ budgets, investment priorities and technology preferences relative to their global peer group. The data collected through the Verdantix survey also supports strategic decision-making and business planning by executives at EHS consulting and technology providers. The 2024 version of the annual global Verdantix EHS survey spans 24 countries and 25 industries. Of these respondents, 75% represent firms with revenues greater than $1 billion and 65% hold role titles of director or above. Respondent data reveal intensified EHS budget increases in the next 12 months, reflecting the need to bolster resources as EHS is disrupted by ESG and sustainability initiatives and increasingly complex chemical regulations. Technology remains crucial to the smooth operation of EHS, with AI adoption growing despite budget challenges and AI safety concerns.
Summary for decision-makers
Global survey shows steadfast EHS budgets as chemical and ESG compliance pressure builds
Annual global survey features 301 EHS executives across 25 industries
Technology is a critical enabler for modern EHS functions
EHS functions are entering a new era of proactive risk management
An influx of mandatory ESG, sustainability and chemicals regulations are necessitating change for EHS
Developing the elusive ‘safety culture’ is critical to long-term employee health outcomes
Budgets increase further in an attempt to keep pace with expanding EHS workloads
Firms continue to up spend on environmental initiatives
There remains significant headroom for EHS ecosystem upgrades
Firms are rethinking digital strategies with the aim of overcoming multiple EHS hurdles and improving performance
Firms are more frequently procuring software for areas with complex and dynamic regulatory requirements
Emergent EHS technologies break through as sensor and drone usage increases
Although AI is gaining momentum, EHS professionals express concerns about expanding its use
Global survey shows steadfast EHS budgets as chemical and ESG compliance pressure builds
Annual global survey features 301 EHS executives across 25 industries
Technology is a critical enabler for modern EHS functions
EHS functions are entering a new era of proactive risk management
An influx of mandatory ESG, sustainability and chemicals regulations are necessitating change for EHS
Developing the elusive ‘safety culture’ is critical to long-term employee health outcomes
Budgets increase further in an attempt to keep pace with expanding EHS workloads
Firms continue to up spend on environmental initiatives
There remains significant headroom for EHS ecosystem upgrades
Firms are rethinking digital strategies with the aim of overcoming multiple EHS hurdles and improving performance
Firms are more frequently procuring software for areas with complex and dynamic regulatory requirements
Emergent EHS technologies break through as sensor and drone usage increases
Although AI is gaining momentum, EHS professionals express concerns about expanding its use
Figure 1. Industry categorization of firms
Figure 2. Geographic location of respondents
Figure 3. EHS technology priority areas for the next two years
Figure 4. EHS operational priority areas for the next two years
Figure 5. Impact of chemical and product compliance challenges
Figure 6. Impact of ESG and sustainability challenges
Figure 7. Prioritization of sustainable workforce initiatives
Figure 8. Change in EHS spend over the next 12 months
Figure 9. Change in spend across EHS categories in 2025
Figure 10. Digital strategy development priorities
Figure 11. EHS software buyer priorities
Figure 12. Age of incumbent EHS software solutions by module
Figure 13. Digital technology adoption in 2025
Figure 14. Barriers to AI adoption
Figure 2. Geographic location of respondents
Figure 3. EHS technology priority areas for the next two years
Figure 4. EHS operational priority areas for the next two years
Figure 5. Impact of chemical and product compliance challenges
Figure 6. Impact of ESG and sustainability challenges
Figure 7. Prioritization of sustainable workforce initiatives
Figure 8. Change in EHS spend over the next 12 months
Figure 9. Change in spend across EHS categories in 2025
Figure 10. Digital strategy development priorities
Figure 11. EHS software buyer priorities
Figure 12. Age of incumbent EHS software solutions by module
Figure 13. Digital technology adoption in 2025
Figure 14. Barriers to AI adoption
Quentic, ecoPortal, dorsaVi, XSENSOR, Evotix, Assent, Flyability, Protex AI, AMCS, TuMeke, Damstra, Serenity, Avetta, DroneView Technologies, Dronematica, Voxel, Saifety.ai, EHS Insight, StrongArm, Intenseye, GOARC, Cority, Origami Risk, Yordas Group, VelocityEHS, SafetyCulture, Wenco International Mining Systems, Fatigue Science, EcoOnline, Ideagen, Moovency, Inseer, Airobotics, Fatigue Tech, Skyability, Benchmark Gensuite, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Notify Technologies, Source Intelligence, HSI, Urbint
About the Authors
Chris Sayers
Senior Analyst
Chris is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix EHSQ practice. His current research agenda focuses on EHSQ software, product compliance software and digital mental health and wellb…
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Bill Pennington
VP Research, EHS & Risk Management
Bill is the VP Research for the Verdantix EHS & Risk Management practices. His current agenda focuses on understanding the evolution of EHS and enterprise risk management,…
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