The recent introduction of Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directives (CSRD) in the European Union and the regulation on mandatory climate reporting in Switzerland has raised the priority of ESG for many managers. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of companies do not appear to be prepared for the new ESG reporting. Only just over 40 percent of Swiss companies will publish an ESG report in 2024. "It is particularly alarming that 10 percent of the companies that are now legally obliged to report will not publish a report this year," says Siyana Gurova from the Center for Global Competitiveness at the ZHAW School of Management and Law.

Although there is a general willingness to publish ESG reports, in practice, firms encounter challenges such as technical issues and a shortage of ESG specialists.  While almost half of multinational companies have a dedicated ESG officer in their top management, less than 30 percent of small and medium-sized companies do. This discrepancy highlights how company size significantly influences compliance with ESG standards and reporting. Additionally, the willingness to adhere to these standards varies across language regions, with the French-speaking regions notably lagging behind.

Despite only a slight increase in the number of companies intending to report on ESG issues in 2024 - around three percentage points more than in 2023 - the survey shows that the importance of ESG activities has increased significantly over the last three years, particularly in relation to environmental issues. This increase shows a growing awareness that often triggers substantial organizational changes. In contrast, the social dimension of ESG, encompassing issues such as (gender) income equality, labor safety and supplier labor practices, have gained the least importance.

The perception of the financial impact of ESG activities on companies varies significantly between the language regions. Managers in Italian-speaking Switzerland perceive low or even negative returns from ESG investments, while their peers in French- and German-speaking regions report more optimistic results. Although top management is an important proponent of ESG initiatives, external factors such as regulatory requirements and consumer expectations play an even greater role. As a result, ESG data is predominantly used in product development and marketing, while HR departments are the least affected by ESG strategies.

This year's survey shows that Swiss companies are making remarkable progress in their ESG efforts. However, they still face significant obstacles. "There is widespread awareness among top executives about the strategic value of ESG data. However, using this information effectively to drive business success remains an area that requires further cultivation," the study authors concluded.