ERM’s quarterly trends outlook provides a concise summary of the latest sustainability issues impacting the private sector. This quarter’s update tracks four key corporate sustainability macrotrends affecting business decision making:

Trends include: 

  • The pathway to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 is narrowing - expanding carbon pricing and corporate climate disclosure mandates offer hope that ambition and action will converge. 
  • Slow corporate progress on nature receives catalysts - the launch of the TNFD disclosure recommendations, plus supporting initiatives, will help the many companies that do not yet report on nature.
  • Human rights challenges broaden - a new strain of challenges are emerging as climate change threatens worker health and conflict in the Middle East has companies walking a public relations tight rope.
  • Sustainable supply chains in focus - resiliency, both to climate change and regulation, is inspiring companies to develop innovative ways to reduce their supply chain emissions. 

Our quarterly trends update provides essential reading for any business leader looking to understand the strategic implications of today’s sustainability context.

The October 2023 quarterly trends insights were compiled by Mark Lee, Andrew Angle and Jacco Kroon at the ERM Sustainability Institute.