A new report from the Forbes Research 2025 State of Sustainability Survey indicates a significant increase in the influence and strategic importance of chief sustainability officers or CSOs within corporate leadership.
The survey, which gathered insights from over 1,100 global executives from companies with at least $500 million in annual revenue, reveals a substantial shift in how top leaders are engaging with sustainability initiatives.
The findings highlight a dramatic increase in collaboration. The percentage of C-suite leaders who report actively collaborating with their company’s CSO on sustainability initiatives has more than doubled in the past year, rising from 21% in 2024 to 43% today. This trend suggests that sustainability is moving from a specialized function to a core component of overall business strategy.
Growing budgets signal serious intent:
In a further sign of a commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, CSOs are seeing a notable increase in their financial backing.
According to the survey, 93% of CSOs expect their sustainability budgets to increase in the next 12 months, a rise from the 86% who reported the same expectation last year. This growing financial support indicates that companies are investing more heavily in their sustainability efforts, moving beyond basic compliance and into initiatives that create long-term value and competitive advantage.
A direct line to the top:
The organizational prominence of the CSO role is also growing. The survey found that a vast majority of CSOs (96%) now report directly to the CEO or the board of directors. Additionally, nearly half (48%) work closely with the chief operating officer.
The findings also reveal that the share of organizations placing CSOs in a lead role for sustainability strategy has more than doubled in the past year, increasing from 15% to 31%. This puts CSOs second only to the CEO and board in terms of influence over sustainability strategy. This direct line of communication with top leadership underscores a fundamental shift from a siloed, niche role to one integrated into the highest levels of corporate decision-making.
From compliance to value creation:
The data collectively suggests that the CSO’s function is evolving from a reactive, compliance-focused position to a proactive, value-creation one.
CSOs are no longer just managing risk and ensuring regulatory adherence. They are now actively shaping business strategy, driving innovation, and identifying new opportunities. This transformation is fueled by both growing internal support and the recognition that sustainability can directly impact a company’s financial performance, brand reputation, and ability to attract and retain talent. The increased visibility and influence of the CSO reflect a new era where sustainability is seen as a key driver of corporate success.
