What our global survey of companies’ ESG sentiment says about exporters’ concerns
We launched the Allianz Trade Global Survey in 2022. In 2023, following the creation of our Global Sustainability Office (GSO), we added ESG questions to accelerate our sustainability ambitions, and build on our expertise and data with further insights. For the fifth edition of the survey, we polled 6,000 companies in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Poland, Singapore, Spain, the UAE, the UK, the US and Vietnam about their outlook for the year. The survey was carried out in two waves, which revealed how sentiment shifted after the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
This year’s results show a measurable shift in companies’ sustainability journeys. While 84% say they are still on track to achieve their net zero targets, overall ESG commitment fell to 62%, down by 22 percentage points compared to 2025. This shift is especially visible in China and the UK, while many European companies are holding firmer – in Germany, 76% remain committed. This change does not quite indicate an abandonment of sustainability ambitions – what we’re seeing is a moderation in action as other priorities have taken priority.
Corporate sustainability ambitions remain, but action slows in 2026
This year’s survey revealed that sustainability is not disappearing but, rather, being reprioritized. Companies have to balance sustainability with growth, competitiveness, digital transformation and day-to-day risk management. In the current environment, it’s easy to deprioritize ESG in the short term, even if it remains strategically important.
Supply chain management is the clearest example of this shift. Around 59% of companies say supply-chain measures are now a top sustainability priority, and 56% say they are looking to gain market share in politically stable regions. That reflects how geopolitics, energy security, transport disruptions and climate-related risks are making value chains harder to manage, while trade is being reshaped.
Natural catastrophes, uneven regulation and supply-chain disruption underscore a critical point: where companies source, produce and invest now has a direct impact on future resilience and continuity. Meanwhile, emerging markets are moving fast. China remains a major force in the transition, particularly in renewable energy, electric vehicles and battery storage, while India continues to show strong sustainability ambition and long-term potential. These markets demonstrate that the adoption of lower-carbon business models is not limited to Europe or North America.
The financial case for corporate sustainability is strengthening
Looking ahead, the main challenge hindering companies’ ESG goals is short-termism. If they remain too focused on immediate pressures, progress will slow. That’s why regulation and disclosure matter so much: they push companies to define a scope, a mandate and a roadmap, rather than treating sustainability as a separate issue. Company leaders play a critical role in implementing strategies that consider double materiality, meaning how climate and geopolitical events affect the company and other players throughout their supply chains. This requires tracking data, carrying out materiality assessments and turning those findings into action plans.
Digital transformation can also support this effort. The survey showed that AI has surpassed sustainability as an investment priority for 26% of companies. Only 20% placed sustainability and carbon reduction at the top of the list, and 18% prioritize supply-chain resilience. This reshuffle does not have to be a setback. Companies can use AI to manage energy systems, improve climate prediction and make supply chains smarter, provided their own resource use is managed responsibly. Ultimately, leaders need to realize that sustainability is interconnected with every other business priority.
Building long-term sustainability through short-term action
While companies’ long-term ESG targets remain clear, they will need to strengthen their focus on the interim measures that will help them achieve these. The next phase of the transition will depend on consistency: consistent reporting, consistent governance and consistent investment in sustainability.
As an insurer and global trade enabler, Allianz Trade is uniquely positioned to support organizations that want to pursue sustainable growth, while also identifying the new vulnerabilities and ESG risk factors that can affect businesses. By consciously building that foundation now, we’ll all be better prepared for future challenges.
