The research commissioned by global communications company, Grayling, was released yesterday in a report titled ‘New Collectivism: Building Better Business’.

Of the 500 senior business decision makers surveyed, 45% said that ESG would be more important than in any previous year.

Due to the impact of Covid-19 and the upcoming COP26 conference, 82% said the decisions made will be more important than in any previous year.

Tom Nutt, head of corporate, UK & Europe at Grayling, says, “These findings confirm what we have been observing for some time now – that businesses are reassessing the wider role of their organisations in society.”

The report also charts the change in attitudes among business leaders from profit-focused approaches fifty years ago, to more socially focused business leaders today.

“This is being driven by three things – concerns about climate change and the environment; social unrest around the world and the simple fact that sustainable business is good business,” adds Nutt.

Communicating on issues of sustainability are critical for business longevity and for 43% of leaders, it will be a top priority in years to come. A further 33% said it will be in the top three priorities.

Upcoming challenges for businesses tackling ESG issues include Covid-19, the politicisation of sustainability and pressure from customers, consumers and governments to act quickly.

Opinium Research conducted the research between 3-8 February 2021, surveying 500 global senior business leaders.

Find the full report here.