Decision Intelligence Benchmark: ESG & Sustainability Talent Decisions for 2026 – 2027
How ESG leaders are meeting evolving demands with lean teams, and why engagement and career paths are raising early warning signs
ESG teams are still rising to meet new demands, running lean and leaning on a mix of internal upskilling and outside specialists to get the work done. Leaders are confident in what their teams can deliver. But engagement trails every other function we studied, the bench behind today’s leaders is nearly empty, and more than half see no clear path up. Together, these could be early signs of trouble for the next generation of ESG leaders.
This report takes you inside ESG teams to see what’s holding them together, and what could pull them apart.
Inside, you’ll discover:
- Why ESG ranks last on engagement among all 11 functions we studied, even with a reading that looks strong on the surface
- How teams are balancing internal upskilling with outside support for specialized work
- Why ESG has the second-thinnest talent bench in the benchmark, and why replacing top performers may still be easier than expected
- The internal factor that separates ESG teams with healthy engagement from those that are struggling
- How the external political climate is weighing on teams, and why C-suite support makes such a difference
- The career path problem driving turnover risk
- Where ESG leaders stand on compensation compared with CSR, DEI, and other purpose-driven functions
Download the report to see how your peers are keeping ESG teams strong while the function’s future takes shape.
