ERM’s quarterly trends reports deliver clear, up‑to‑date overviews of the top sustainability issues shaping private-sector strategy. In this March 2026 edition, we highlight key Q1 signals across the four trends covered in ERM’s 2026 Annual Trends Report that offer a window into where corporate sustainability is going next.
Trends include:
Trend 1: Sustainability that pays Hide
- Signal 1: Strong performance amid pressures defines sustainable finance landscape
- Signal 2: Sustainability reporting undergoes simplification and expansion
Trend 2: Energy conundrums Hide
- Signal 1: U.S. policy changes reshape energy landscape
- Signal 2: Splintering geopolitical environment spotlights energy security concerns
- Signal 3: Power infrastructure needs in focus amid demand surges
Trend 3: Sustainability in the digital era Hide
- Signal 1: Question of who pays defines U.S. data center power conversation
- Signal 2: Emerging oversight needs shape AI’s role in sustainability programs
Trend 4: EHS transformation Hide
- Signal 1: EHS programs need to evolve to deliver strategic impact
- Signal 2: Environmental regulations expand and contract