Employer and Business Membership Organisations (EBMOs) are significantly expanding their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activities as demand from member companies rises across regions, according to a new global survey by the ILO ACT/EMP.
The report, Leading the ESG agenda: Global and regional insights for Employer and Business Membership Organizations, is based on a 2025 survey of 90 EBMOs operating in 65 countries under the International Labour Organization’s LEADER Programme. It finds that ESG has shifted from being viewed as a “good practice” to a core driver of business competitiveness and resilience.
Eight in ten surveyed EBMOs reported an increase in demand for ESG-related services over the past five years, while four in five expect demand to grow further over the next one to three years. Regions that previously experienced slower uptake, including Africa and the Arab States, now anticipate stronger growth, indicating a widening global need for ESG support.
The survey also highlights a growing focus on ESG within EBMOs themselves. While one in five organisations currently has a dedicated ESG strategy, nearly one in three is in the process of developing one. Common internal measures include employee health and wellbeing initiatives, ethical business practices, strengthened corporate governance, and waste reduction and recycling efforts, reflecting efforts to align internal operations with the guidance offered to members.
Across regions, companies most frequently seek support from EBMOs on regulatory compliance and on understanding the business case for ESG. In response, EBMOs are expanding training programmes, workshops, events and information-sharing platforms to help members navigate evolving sustainability standards and disclosure requirements. This expansion is supported by the LEADER Programme, which provides data, tools and practical guidance to embed ESG as a core service offering.
Medium and large enterprises are currently the primary users of EBMO-provided ESG services, though small firms are also engaging in many markets. By sector, manufacturing is the most frequent user globally, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing, construction, and financial and insurance activities, with variations across regions driven by regulatory pressures and market access considerations.
Deborah France-Massin, Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP), said the findings underline the strategic importance of ESG for business. “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 seen rising demand for ESG services, and four in five expect further growth. These findings confirm that environmental, social and governance issues are now central to business competitiveness and resilience, and they highlight the role of EBMOs as trusted partners helping companies navigate regulation, build reputation and turn sustainability into measurable results.”
The report also points to tangible benefits for EBMOs themselves. More than half (56%) of organisations offering ESG services reported increased member engagement, while 46% cited stronger involvement in policy discussions and greater visibility and influence. A further 42% reported the formation of new partnerships, and nearly a quarter (23%) said they had experienced membership growth or increased access to grants and funding since launching ESG-related services.
Overall, the findings signal a decisive shift in how ESG is viewed across employer and business networks. By embedding sustainability into their core 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, the report concludes, will depend on continued access to knowledge, tools and partnerships that can translate ESG commitments into measurable, long-term outcomes.
