Global EHS Leaders Survey 2017: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences

Isabel Velasco

Isabel Velasco

07 Nov, 2017

Access this research

Access all EHSQ Corporate Leaders content with a strategic subscription or buy this single report

Need help or have a question about this report? Contact us for assistance

Executive Summary

This report helps EHS decision-makers benchmark their spending plans, technology adoption and EHS software preferences. This report also supports the strategic decision-making of executives at EHS consulting and technology firms. The global survey study was conducted between June and September 2017 via telephone interviews with senior EHS decision-makers with direct responsibilities for corporate-wide EHS management strategies and initiatives. The 382 respondents work at firms with revenues of at least $250 million and represent 25 industries. To improve the statistical validity of the survey results we increased the weight of industries with high to very high EHS risk profiles to align the survey findings with EHS spending. Our analysis finds that EHS budgets will increase by 5.4% in 2018, with a focus on technology spending and a view towards improving worker safety and operational performance. EHS decision-makers face multiple barriers to technology adoption; these range from lack of budget to lack of technology expertise and information. Technology preferences are shaped by software configurability, as well as a broader acceptability for cloud deployment.

Global EHS Leaders Survey 2017: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences
Global Multi-Industry Survey With EHS Decision-Makers Delivers Granular Insight
EHS Decision-Makers Perceive High EHS Risks Within Their Industries

On A Worldwide Basis EHS Budgets Will Increase By 5.4% In 2018
Technology Will Receive The Highest Increase In EHS Spend In 2018
Improving Safety And Operational Performance Are The Biggest Growth Opportunities In 2018

Technology Barriers And Preferences Point To Challenges For Investment
Even Pro-Technology EHS Leaders Face Multiple Funding And Expertise Barriers  
Customers Will Choose EHS Software Capable Of Configuration To Their Specific Needs  
Technology Preferences For Deployment, Mobile And Data Sharing Are Mixed News For Vendors

Figure 1. Revenue Of Survey Respondents’ Firms
Figure 2. Industry Categorisation Of Respondents’ Firms
Figure 3. Geographic Location Of Respondents
Figure 4. Self-Categorisation Of EHS Risk
Figure 5. Organizational Structure For Environment, Health, Safety And Quality
Figure 6. EHS Employee Numbers At Each Organizational Level
Figure 7. EHS Budget Allocation Across Four Categories
Figure 8. Change In EHS Spend In 2018 Compared To 2017
Figure 9. Change In Spend Across EHS Categories In 2018
Figure 10. Change In Spend On EHS Activities Between 2018 And 2017
Figure 11. EHS Software: 2018 Investment Plans
Figure 12. EHS Consulting Projects: 2018 Investment Plans
Figure 13. View Of EHS Decision-Makers On The Role Of Technology
Figure 14. Multiple Barriers To Maximising Value From EHS Technologies
Figure 15. Adoption Of Emerging EHS Technologies In 2018
Figure 16. Evaluation Of EHS Software Vendors
Figure 17. Evaluation Of EHS Software
Figure 18. Current Usage Of EHS Software
Figure 19. Acceptability Of Different EHS Software Deployment Options
Figure 20. Willingness Of EHS Decision-Makers To Share EHS Data
Figure 21. Evaluation Of EHS Mobile Apps

About the Author

Isabel Velasco

Isabel Velasco

Industry Analyst

Isabel is an Industry Analyst in the Verdantix EHS practice. Her current agenda focuses on research on all applications of EHS Software, and digital technologies used for EHS ...

Other related content

Blog
EHS Software & Services
Compliance Is King: How Compliance Mana...

As noted in the 2025 Green Quadrant on EHS software, a key area of differentiation for EHS software vendors is the strength of their compliance management capabilities – and thos...

30 January, 2026

Blog
EHSQ Corporate Leaders
Driving Commercial And Educational Mome...

EHS practitioners attend industry events to stay informed on best practices for maintaining safe, sustainable and compliant operations. These forums not only provide education on e...

30 January, 2026

Blog
EHS Software & Services
Starting 2026 With Adoption, Trust And ...

Almost a month into 2026, AI is moving from concept to practical application in EHS software. Towards the end of 2025, several EHS software vendors introduced agentic AI that integ...

27 January, 2026

Blog
EHS Specialist Software
Using Learning Management Systems To Im...

Contractors provide organizations with specialist knowledge, workforce flexibility and a cost-effective alternative to hiring additional employees. However, their status as recentl...

15 January, 2026

Webinar
Real Estate, Facilities & Workplace Tech
Real Estate Leaders
Built Environment Energy & Decarbonization
EHSQ Corporate Leaders
Why Are We Still Talking About The Retu...

In 2025, average UK office occupancy was around 40%, the highest level since the pandemic but still well below pre-pandemic norms. As organisations continue to bring people back in...

Upcoming / 26 February, 2026

Webinar
Third-Party Risk Management
Projects & Construction Management Software
Process Safety Management Software
Manufacturing Operations Management
EHSQ Corporate Leaders
EHS Specialist Software
EHS Software & Services
Digital Transformation Leaders
AI Platforms & Applications
Modernizing Control Of Work In 2026: Ho...

Control of Work (CoW) is critical to preventing serious injuries and fatalities, the top priority of 80% of EHS leaders. Yet many organizations still rely on paper-based processes ...

Upcoming / 19 February, 2026