ESG investments, US companies do it but don't say it

Invest more but communicate less: this is the strategy shared by US companies regarding sustainability. In spite of regulatory uncertainties and the debate on the topic in the US, sustained by the choices of the Trump administration, ESG pillars remain a competitive element according to business executives. This is what emerges from the analysis "2025 U.S. Business Sustainability Landscape Outlook: Executive Perspectives on Supply Chain Disruption, Resilience and Competitiveness" by EcoVadis, a leading platform for assessing the ESG performance of companies, which surveyed 400 executives of American companies with turnover of more than one billion dollars.

The numbers speak for themselves: 87% of companies have maintained or increased their investments in sustainability in 2025, despite the climate of regulatory uncertainty related to the slowdown in the US. Executives see sustainability as a competitive advantage, investing in technologies to strengthen supply chains, manage risks and foster growth and resilience. Companies continue to prioritise corporate sustainability, but in a more subtle way, with little public communication.

Nearly half of the respondents (48%) say their corporate sustainability strategy remains unchanged this year, while 31% of executives say they are increasing investments while reducing public communication. 8% have stopped talking publicly about their commitments but continue to invest. Thus, the proportion of companies that voluntarily decide to emphasise less or not talk at all about their commitment to sustainability (greenhushing) is growing. Only 7% of respondents have actually reduced their sustainability efforts and just 6% admit to considering it a low priority, limiting themselves to the minimum to comply with regulations.

Awareness of the role played by the ESG pillars on the competitive front is strong. In fact, 65% of executives say that supply chain sustainability is a real competitive advantage, contributing to growth through risk reduction, increased resilience, brand enhancement, supply chain efficiency and cost savings. 62% of directors and vice presidents, as well as 59% of C-suite executives, believe it helps attract and retain customers. The majority of financial leaders (52%) share this view, considering it an engine for growth.

Almost half (47%) of the respondents say that the elimination of EHS regulations would entail numerous risks, increasing supply chain disruptions. 35% believe that a regulatory rollback would worsen the quality of EHS data, undermine accountability and negatively impact sustainability results. Furthermore, 59% expect an increase in unfair labour practices and mistreatment of workers.