Global EHS Leaders Survey 2018: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences

Published 7 November 2018 by Yaowen Ma &

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Executive Summary

This report helps EHS executives benchmark their budgets, investment priorities and technology preferences relative to their global peer group. The data collected through the Verdantix survey also supports strategic decision-making and business planning by executives at EHS consulting and technology providers. The annual global Verdantix EHS survey spans 35 countries and was conducted between August and September 2018 via telephone interviews of 411 senior EHS decision-makers with direct responsibility for corporate-wide EHS management strategies and initiatives. Of the 411 respondents, all belong to firms with revenues of at least $250 million and up to over $20 billion, covering 25 industries. In aggregate, 51% of the interviewed EHS decision-makers represented industries with high to very high EHS risk profiles. Our analysis finds that EHS budgets will increase by 4% in 2019, with an emphasis on technology spending and a view towards improving safety and operational risk, incident management, and environmental compliance.

Table of contents

Global EHS Leaders Survey 2018: Budgets, Priorities & Tech Preferences
Global Multi-Industry Survey With EHS Decision-Makers Delivers Granular Insights
EHS Decision-Makers Perceive Innovation And Digital Transformation To Be High Priorities

The EHS Digital Technology Ecosystem Is Expansive With Momentous Adoption
EHS Leaders Are Adopting Diverse Digital Technologies Beyond Desktop Software Applications
Diverse Training, Learning And Development Solutions Are Necessary For Health and Safety

On A Global Basis, EHS Budgets Will Grow By 4% During 2019
Information Technology Budgets Will Experience 7% Growth During 2019
Improving Safety And Operational Risk Will See The Biggest Spend Growth In 2019

Customers Will Choose EHS Software With User-Friendly Interfaces And Strong Configuration Capabilities

Technology And Internal Dynamics Present Challenges For Further Investment
EHS Executives Face Multiple Technology And Internal Roadblocks That Restrict Adoption

Table of figures

Figure 1. Industry Categorisation Of Firms
Figure 2. Geographic Location Of Respondents 
Figure 3. Priority For Innovation By EHS Function 
Figure 4. Involvement In Digital Transformation By EHS Function 
Figure 5. Adoption Of Digital Technologies In 2019
Figure 6. Adoption Of Software By EHS Processes In 2019 
Figure 7. Adoption Of Training, Learning And Development Solutions In 2019 
Figure 8. Change In EHS Spend In 2019 Compared To 2018 
Figure 9. Change In Spend Across EHS Categories In 2019
Figure 10. EHS Consulting Projects: 2019 Investment Plans 
Figure 11. Change In Spend On EHS Activities Between 2019 And 2018 
Figure 12. EHS Software: 2019 Investment Plan 
Figure 13. Evaluation Criteria For EHS Software Selection 
Figure 14. Factors During Sales Process That Influence EHS Software Selection 
Figure 15. Factors That Influence EHS Software Contract Termination 
Figure 16. Acceptability Of Different EHS Software Deployment Options 
Figure 17. Barriers To Improving EHS Performance 
Figure 18. Barriers To Mobile Application Adoption 
Figure 19. Barriers To Use Of EHS Software For Analysis 

About the author

Yaowen Ma

Principal Analyst

Yaowen is a Principal Analyst at Verdantix conducting research on EHS and ESG information management. His current agenda focuses on digital technologies, best practices and growth strategies across EHS, product stewardship, sustainability performance and ESG risk management. Yaowen has more than seven years of experience managing and delivering EHS and ESG research and consulting engagements to corporates, vendors, investors and industry associations. He holds a dual major bachelor’s degree in environmental management and international relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

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