EY study: 43% of business leaders say boards lack commitment to integrating ESG factors

• 82% of respondents say they have made significant progress in addressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks
• 85% say near-term economic uncertainty is the top external challenge to a strong ESG proposition

The annual EY Long-Term Value and Corporate Governance Survey finds a significant increase – from 66% to 84% – of board members and C-suite who say the COVID-19 pandemic increased expectations from consumers, employees, governments and broader society that companies will drive societal impact, environmental sustainability, and inclusive growth. However, there’s also an increase – from 28% to 43% – in respondents identifying lack of commitment from the board to make decisions that fully integrate ESG factors that would lead to long-term value. Fifty five percent of respondents say there are significant differences of opinion among leadership on how to balance short-term considerations with long-term investments and sustainable growth. That figure jumps to 68% of board chairs and non-executive board directors.

The survey, which polled 200 senior leaders from 15 European countries and 25 industries found a tension between the advantages of ESG-driven corporate strategy to long-term, inclusive growth and leaders’ willingness to support this through corporate governance. Sixty six percent of leaders combined see the top two advantages to integrating ESG factors in their corporate strategy as first, long-term value through new ESG-driven products and services, and second, resilience to ESG risks. Eighty three percent of respondents said they would like mandatory reporting of ESG performance measures against global standards.

The majority (82%) of respondents feel they have made significant progress in putting in place the controls and risk management systems needed to address material ESG risks. The top two challenges holding businesses back from delivering against ESG according to respondents are externally, near-term economic uncertainty (85%) and internally, lack of commitment from the board (43%).

Massimo Bettanin, Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability, EY Romania: “Compared to just a couple of years ago, ESG is now part of daily business discussions at all level of the organization and with external stakeholders. However, such increased attention on ESG can produce tangible and long-term results only if ESG is an integral part of the business strategy and is factored in the overall organization’s Governance framework.”

The analysis finds that if companies are to be successful in harnessing ESG-related opportunities, boards must strengthen their governance with a new board operating model, composition, and skills; innovative approaches to reward and remuneration; and effective ESG reporting and investor engagement.

Andrew Hobbs, EY EMEIA Public Policy Leader, says: “Robust and innovative corporate governance approaches are critical for getting on the front foot with ESG. This will be a process of evolution for many companies; the C-suite is closer to customer and other stakeholder needs while boards have a shareholder-focused outlook. There is real impetus now behind sustainability reporting mandates, crucial to a board’s accountability. Many markets are making significant moves to require ESG disclosures and drive up the value of reporting, including the EU with its sustainable finance initiative. The suite of ESG reporting standards envisaged as part of it will catalyze the “greening” of the EU’s capital markets.”

About the Long-Term Value and Corporate Governance survey

Two hundred corporate directors and senior managers were surveyed to understand their progress and challenges in driving long-term value and the implications for corporate governance. Twenty percent were chairmen or non-executive directors of the board, 20% were CEOs and the remainder were drawn from across the C-suite. Half of respondents’ organizations have revenues in excess of €1 billion a year, with the other half between €100 million and €999 million. Respondents were split across 15 European countries and 25 industry segments.