- Most respondents reported increased staffing at their companies over the past two years to handle ESG disclosures and more than half of Fortune 100 companies have added an ESG controller to their staff who are responsible for data systems and processes that support sustainability-related disclosures.
- While nearly half of sustainability leaders report to an executive who reports to the CEO, 30% report directly to the CEO, which is up from 22% two years ago. The percentage reporting to the legal department has doubled during that time frame from 7% in 2022 to 14% this year.
- Direct reporting to the CEO varies widely by industry, with Consumer Goods and Construction companies reflecting the highest percentages (40% and 39%, respectively) compared to Retail and Technology at the low end (12% and 17%, respectively).
- Thirty percent of respondents report to the board quarterly on the company’s sustainability program risks and achievements, while 31% provide an annual briefing.
Other survey and related report coverage includes the use of “ESG” terminology; CEO involvement in the company’s sustainability program; sustainability professional demographics; work arrangements (e.g., hybrid, in-office); and compensation.
The report reflects responses to a survey conducted in late 2023 from 1,185 sustainability professionals (primarily at the manager or senior manager levels), 84% of whom were associated with large organizations across industries and work in the US.
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This post first appeared in the weekly Society Alert!