Global EHS Leaders Survey 2017: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences
Isabel Velasco
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 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
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
Industrial leaders face increasing pressure to allocate limited budgets effectively while delivering tangible results across operations, maintenance, and production. This webinar w...
Upcoming / 09 April, 2026
For time-pressured EHS leaders, the challenge is not whether AI matters, but how to assess readiness, prioritise use cases, and avoid costly missteps. In this webinar, we’ll examin...
Upcoming / 07 April, 2026
On the heels of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, there's an interesting parallel between the slopes and the shop floor in injury prevention. Research shows that roughl...
24 February, 2026
In 2026, instability has become the new norm for global supply chains; organizations are busy navigating constant changes amid persistent uncertainty. Shifting US-China trade polic...
23 February, 2026
In the regional and industry-specific breakdown of the 2025 Verdantix global corporate survey on EHS budgets, priorities and tech preferences, respondents in the chemicals sector...
20 February, 2026
In the regional and industry-specific breakdown of the 2025 Verdantix global corporate survey on EHS budgets, priorities and tech preferences, respondents in the mining sector re...
16 February, 2026