Global Corporate Survey 2024: ESG & Sustainability Budgets, Priorities And Tech Preferences

Table of contents

Summary for decision-makers
Global survey reveals priorities and tech preferences of ESG and sustainability executives
Global survey features the perspectives of 400 executives across multiple industries and geographies
ESG and sustainability functions are essential for long-term business success
Firms demonstrate commitment to ESG and sustainability through several strategies
CSOs own strategy development, but funding is distributed across multiple executives
Both regulated and non-regulated reporting frameworks are influencing sustainability budgets
ESG and sustainability budgets are rising across the board
Consulting budgets are increasing throughout 2024
Mandatory assurance is upping the ante for disclosure and reporting processes
Investments will continue to grow across all ESG and sustainability software categories
Sustainability teams must partner with the IT function to ensure effective systems and data integration

Table of figures

Figure 1. Survey respondent firm size (revenue) breakdown
Figure 2. Survey respondent geographical breakdown
Figure 3. Survey respondent industry breakdown
Figure 4. Benefits of sustainability strategies
Figure 5. Strategies to improve ESG and sustainability performance
Figure 6. Organizational structure for the CSO
Figure 7. Executives responsible for defining ESG and sustainability strategy
Figure 8. Executives responsible for funding ESG and sustainability strategy
Figure 9. Corporate ESG and sustainability funding priorities
Figure 10. Disclosure rules and frameworks influencing spend on ESG and sustainability
Figure 11. Spend on consulting services for 2024 compared with 2023
Figure 12. Priorities when selecting a consulting provider for ESG and sustainability initiatives
Figure 13. Approaches to conducting an internal audit review
Figure 14. Approaches to establishing data governance controls
Figure 15. Approaches to conducting pre-assurance assessments
Figure 16. Spend on software for 2024 compared with 2023
Figure 17. Approaches to managing ESG and sustainability use cases
Figure 18. Motivations for developing in-house software over acquiring commercially available software
Figure 19. Priorities when selecting a software provider for ESG and sustainability initiatives
Figure 20. Use of technology to support sustainability strategy
Figure 21. Challenges with implementing ESG and sustainability software