Global EHS Leaders Survey 2017: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences

Executive Summary

This report helps EHS decision-makers benchmark their spending plans, technology adoption and EHS software preferences. This report also supports the strategic decision-making of executives at EHS consulting and technology firms. The global survey study was conducted between June and September 2017 via telephone interviews with senior EHS decision-makers with direct responsibilities for corporate-wide EHS management strategies and initiatives. The 382 respondents work at firms with revenues of at least $250 million and represent 25 industries. To improve the statistical validity of the survey results we increased the weight of industries with high to very high EHS risk profiles to align the survey findings with EHS spending. Our analysis finds that EHS budgets will increase by 5.4% in 2018, with a focus on technology spending and a view towards improving worker safety and operational performance. EHS decision-makers face multiple barriers to technology adoption; these range from lack of budget to lack of technology expertise and information. Technology preferences are shaped by software configurability, as well as a broader acceptability for cloud deployment.