Is ESG still relevant in 2026?

Yes. Regulatory frameworks are tightening, not loosening. The EU's CSRD, ISSB standards and UK obligations under SECR, ESOS and UK SRS are all expanding the scope of mandatory sustainability disclosure.

Investors are more demanding, not less. They want verified emissions data, costed transition plans and governance oversight - not a sustainability page buried in the annual report.

The term faces political noise, particularly in the US, but the underlying risks have not gone away. Climate exposure, supply chain fragility and regulatory non-compliance still require structured management.

What has changed is the standard of evidence. Narrative-driven reporting is giving way to auditable data and measurable outcomes. The businesses that treat ESG as a filing exercise risk falling behind those using it to reduce cost, manage risk and strengthen operations.