Global Corporate Survey 2020: EHS Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences

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Executive Summary

This report helps environment, health and safety (EHS) executives to benchmark their firms’ EHS budgets, investment priorities and technology use relative to their global peer group. Executives at EHS consulting and technology providers also can use the survey findings to support their strategic decision-making and business planning. Verdantix gathered this data by interviewing 301 EHS decision-makers across 31 countries and 25 industries. Of these respondents, 74% represented firms with revenues greater than $1 billion and 71% held role titles of director or above. Respondents have reacted to COVID-19 by making large spend increases in the past 12 months, with notable spend enhancements on consultancy projects as firms seek to improve business resilience. Looking forward, EHS decision-makers will exhibit turbulent spending patterns in 2021 driven by COVID-19 factors and a K-shaped economic recovery. EHS technology investment will grow across the digital landscape as executives continue the digitization of their function. 

Table of contents

Global EHS Leaders Survey Uncovers The Extent Of COVID-19 Disruption 
Annual Global Survey Features Over 300 EHS Executives Across Industries

EHS Technology Strategies Must Adapt To Satisfy New Challenges
COVID-19 Reshuffles EHS Function Priorities

EHS Budgets Show Increased Volatility Under Conflicting Pressures
Global EHS Spend Increases In The Past 12 Months
EHS Budgets Stand Firm In The Face Of Economic Disruption
EHS Spending Will Be Shaped By COVID-19 And The Recession

EHS Software Plans Adapt To Meet Virus Challenges
EHS Software Remains Core To Digitization As Executives Continue To Invest Across Processes
EHS Decision-Makers Reject COVID-19 Specific Software

Firms Are Now Considering A Large Palette Of Digital Technologies
Mobile Apps, Analytics And Environmental Sensors Lead The Way On Digital Transformation

 

Table of figures

Figure 1. Industry Categorization Of Firms  
Figure 2. Geographic Location Of Respondents  
Figure 3. Long-Term Priorities By EHS Function  
Figure 4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Digital Technology  
Figure 5. Change In EHS Spend In The Past 12 Months  
Figure 6. Change In Spend Across EHS Areas In The Past 12 Months  
Figure 7. Change In EHS Spend In The Next 12 Months  
Figure 8. Change In Spend Across EHS Areas Over The Next 12 Months  
Figure 9. Change In Spend Across EHS Categories In 2021  
Figure 10. EHS Consulting Projects: 2021 Investment Plans  
Figure 11. Adoption Of Software By EHS Processes In 2021  
Figure 12-1. EHS Software Market: 2021 Investment Plans (Respondents currently using software)  
Figure 12-2. EHS Software Market: 2021 Investment Plans (Respondents currently not using software)  
Figure 13. Impact Of COVID-19 On EHS Software 
Figure 14. Adoption Of Digital Technologies In 2021 
Figure 15. EHS Technologies: 2021 Investment Plans 

About the authors

Christopher Sayers

Senior Analyst
Chris is a Senior Analyst in the Verdantix EHS practice. His current research agenda focuses on EHS software, product compliance software and digital mental health and wellbeing solutions. He was also the lead author of the most recent Verdantix EHS Software Green Quadrant benchmarking study. Chris joined Verdantix in 2020 and has previous experience at EY, where he specialized in robotic process automation (RPA). He holds an MEng in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford, with a concentration on machine learning and machine vision.

Rodolphe d’Arjuzon

MD and Global Head of Research
Rodolphe co-founded Verdantix in 2008 and directs the firm’s research strategy across all practice areas. Rodolphe has over 20 years of experience in technology research and strategy consulting. He previously worked for Barclays Bank and L.E.K. Consulting. Rodolphe holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge.

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