Sefiani, part of Clarity Global is pleased to announce the launch of a new global report that provides insights from Clarity Global’s Responsible Business Unit. 

The global report shows that sustainability targets have risen in the last 18 months, even in the face of heightened scrutiny, budget cuts and anti-ESG rhetoric. Despite these challenges, businesses are pushing ahead with greater commitment and higher ambition for their sustainability targets. 

The Responsible Business Outlook for Communicators explores the challenges and pressures organisations are facing as they strive to maintain responsible business practices in an increasingly demanding environment.

The report highlights stark regional differences for responsible business:

• Australia leads in raising ambition: 58% of businesses are increasing their targets, though concerns about greenwashing and greenhushing remain high.
• UK companies are doing more with less: 44% report limited budgets, yet nearly half (47%) are still increasing their sustainability ambition.
• US organisations are responding to political challenges: heightened politicisation and policy reversals mean more cautious communication, but they remain the most likely to view ESG as key to long-term value.
• The Netherlands is prioritising risk management and business value: 31% of companies see sustainability as a risk management tool (above the global average of 18%), and 47% focus on the business case (compared to 31% globally).

“Australia stands out for continuing to raise sustainability targets, with more businesses increasing their ambitions than any other market we surveyed,” Julia Hoy continued. 

“This progress isn’t without its hurdles however. Australian businesses have had to navigate concerns about greenwashing and greenhushing, as well as regulatory uncertainty in the lead up to the federal election this year. These challenges are compounded by the increasing cost of capital, the ripple effects from anti-ESG sentiment in the US and new mandatory reporting requirements. 

“There are real obstacles facing Australian organisations today, but our research shows that those staying the course do so because they recognise the long-term value it creates.”

Global highlights from the report include:

• ESG is still high on the agenda: 94% of businesses see ESG as a business priority, though only 48% consider it central to long-term value creation.
• Ambition continues to grow: 66% of businesses have changed their ESG strategy in the last 18 months, with a net 50% increasing their ambition despite challenges.
• Increased scrutiny and resource constraints are the new normal: 
  • Greenwashing fears are cited as the top challenge by 38% of communicators, while 37% face limited budgets, highlighting the increased scrutiny and resource constraints in today’s environment.

• Communication strategies are adapting:
  • 45% of businesses are communicating more frequently about their ESG initiatives.
  • 31% are focusing their messaging on the financial business case.

“While headlines often focus on high-profile organisations walking back their sustainability targets, our data shows a quieter story of progress and resilience,” said Julia Hoy, Executive Vice President, Responsible Business, Clarity Global. 

“For many businesses, sustainability remains central to long-term value creation, even in uncertain times. With the market now under regulatory scrutiny, it is clearer which companies genuinely integrate sustainability, resilience and social value—and which do not.”

Read the full report here: https://clarity.global/news-insights/team-insights/report-responsible-business-outlook-for-communicators-a-new-report-from-clarity

About the survey 

The “Responsible Business Outlook for Communicators” surveyed over 1,000 senior leaders across the UK, US, the Netherlands and Australia.

About Clarity Global

Clarity Global (known as Sefiani in Australia) is a global marketing and communications agency specialising in helping organisations communicate ESG commitments with authenticity, resilience, and impact.