EBMOs Step Up ESG Efforts as Global Demand Grows
Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) are significantly expanding their work on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues as demand from member companies continues to rise worldwide, according to a new survey report by the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP).
The report, Leading the ESG Agenda: Global and Regional Insights for Employer and Business Membership Organizations, is based on a 2025 global survey conducted by ACT/EMP to assess how EBMOs are responding to growing ESG priorities. Developed under the ILO’s LEADER Programme, the study draws on data from 90 EBMOs across 65 countries and shows that ESG has evolved from a “good practice” into a core pillar of business competitiveness and resilience.
Survey findings reveal a strong upward trend in demand: eight in ten EBMOs report an increase in demand for ESG-related services over the past five years, while four in five expect demand to grow further within the next one to three years. Regions that previously experienced slower uptake, including Africa and the Arab States, now anticipate stronger growth, highlighting a widening and deepening need for ESG support across regions.
EBMOs are also strengthening their own internal ESG practices. While one in five currently has a dedicated ESG strategy, nearly one in three is in the process of developing one. Common internal initiatives include employee health and well-being programmes, ethical business conduct, corporate governance frameworks, and waste reduction and recycling measures. These efforts help EBMOs “walk the talk” while gaining practical insight into the implementation challenges faced by their members.
Across all regions, companies most frequently seek EBMO support to meet regulatory requirements and better understand the business case for ESG. In response, EBMOs are expanding training programmes, workshops, events, and information-sharing platforms to help enterprises navigate evolving sustainability standards and disclosure obligations. This expansion is supported by the LEADER Programme, which provides EBMOs with data, tools, and practical guidance to strengthen ESG as a core service offering.
Medium and large enterprises are the primary users of ESG services provided by EBMOs, although small enterprises are also engaged in many contexts. By sector, manufacturing leads globally, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing, construction, and financial and insurance activities, with notable regional variations. These trends reflect both regulatory pressures and the pursuit of efficiency, market access, and long-term sustainability.
Commenting on the findings, Deborah France-Massin, Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP), said:
“ESG has become a key framework for sustainable business, helping enterprises manage risk and build trust. Our global survey shows that eight in ten EBMOs have experienced rising demand for ESG services, and four in five expect further growth. These results confirm that environmental, social and governance considerations are now central to business competitiveness and resilience, and they underscore the role of EBMOs as trusted partners supporting companies to navigate regulation, strengthen their reputation, and translate sustainability into measurable outcomes.”
The report also highlights the tangible benefits ESG work brings to EBMOs themselves. More than half (56 per cent) of surveyed EBMOs offering ESG services report increased member engagement, while 46 per cent cite stronger involvement in policy dialogue and greater visibility and influence. In addition, 42 per cent have established new partnerships, and nearly one in four (23 per cent) report membership growth or increased grants and funding since introducing ESG services.
Overall, the findings point to a decisive shift: ESG has become a shared agenda for EBMOs and their members. By embedding sustainability into their services, EBMOs are strengthening the private sector’s contribution to decent work and inclusive growth, while positioning themselves as catalysts for change in national and regional economies. Sustaining this momentum will require continued access to knowledge, tools, and partnerships to turn ESG awareness into measurable progress — ensuring that sustainability principles translate into long-term competitiveness, inclusion, and trust in business.
Source: ILO
