78% of companies plan to increase Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) spending over the next three years, with many turning to digital tools and AI.
Only 50% embed EHS into long-term business strategy, risking missed opportunities in resilience, reputation, and efficiency.
Firms that integrate EHS report stronger agility and resilience, with 52% saying investments reduce the impact of business disruptions.
Businesses are ramping up investment in Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) measures to drive resilience, protect workers, and safeguard the environment—but half may fall short of capturing long-term value by failing to weave EHS into core strategy, according to EY’s latest Global EHS Maturity Study.
The survey of more than 500 executives and EHS professionals found that nearly four in five companies (78%) plan to boost spending in the next three years, with three-quarters (75%) investing in digital systems and analytics to strengthen risk management. Two-thirds (65%) already view EHS as a source of commercial value, from reputational gains to operational efficiencies.
Jessica Wollmuth, EY Global EHS Co-Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, said:
“It is easy to dismiss EHS initiatives as box-ticking exercises, or as ways to shore up risk defenses, but the reality is that, done well, EHS is a key that can unlock untold value for businesses, their stakeholders, and the planet as a whole.”
Yet only half (50%) of organizations say they prioritize EHS in their long-term business strategy. For many, investment is still reactionary—driven by immediate needs (36%) or compliance requirements (13%).
The data suggests this gap could cost businesses. Companies that take a strategic approach report stronger resilience: 52% say EHS investments reduce the impact of disruptions, while 67% credit them with greater agility during uncertain times. Reputation benefits are also clear, with 68% of public sector organizations and 77% of NGOs citing EHS as a driver of trust among stakeholders.
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Technology adoption is growing—64% of companies have digital platforms in place, and half (49%) are using AI for EHS initiatives. More than 80% say these tools help identify blind spots and prevent serious incidents. Still, only 27% ranked technology investment as a top priority over the past year.
Monica Merlo, EY Global EHS Co-Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, noted:
“There’s no denying the challenges that businesses will encounter as they set out on the road toward effective EHS. Building a business case, securing budgets, measuring the returns, and even getting heard at board level all present challenges which can hinder the efforts of even the most determined organizations. But with the right leadership—which prioritizes strategy, data-driven decision making, ongoing investment and early adoption of technology—businesses can steer a course around these obstacles and position themselves for long term rewards.”
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