ESG Integration Drives Growth: 91% of Companies Expect Higher Revenue in 2025

91% of companies that are integrating ESG aspects into their strategies expect revenue to increase in 2025, according to BDO’s CFO Sustainability Outlook Survey. This result reflects the profound transformation of the business paradigm, where sustainability is no longer just a response to external pressures, but a strategic element that guarantees resilience and competitiveness on the market.

80% estimate that their commitment to defining sustainability strategies will increase or remain unchanged during the next 12 months. Chief financial officers (CFOs) are also understanding the importance of placing sustainability at the center of their business: 47% of them plan to increase their involvement in defining sustainability strategies over the next 12 months.

However, not all organizations have fully succeeded in incorporating ESG aspects as an integral part of the corporate vision, still working on isolated projects and/or linked to regulatory objectives and/or stakeholder expectations.

Over the past five years, ESG initiatives have proven their effectiveness in generating tangible value

When analyzing the return on investment (ROI) of sustainability initiatives, corporate CFOs report significant benefits on both the revenue and cost fronts. Key benefits include increased innovation, opening up new market opportunities, reduced operating costs, and easier access to financing at favorable terms. With the positive impact now evident, the debate is no longer about whether to invest in sustainability, but about where to focus investments and to what extent.

In particular, ROI is visible in various areas: 37% of companies have recorded an increase in innovation and business opportunities, 36% have achieved revenue growth and 34% have benefited from advantageous financing conditions.

These results are more marked in the technology ( 43% revenue growth), manufacturing ( 40% ) and healthcare ( 37% ) sectors, where operating models and investment in research and development have amplified the benefits of sustainable strategies. Across the board, the turning point for companies means that ESG projects are not just isolated but are organically inserted into broader corporate strategies.

ESG Risk Management

A broader overview of the threats organizations face in an increasingly uncertain global context, characterized by increasing extreme weather events and more stringent regulation, revealed that, in 2025, ESG risks were identified by 45% of CFOs as a major concern. This places them in third place, after operational risks (48%) and those related to the products or services offered (46%).

However, the perception of ESG risks varies greatly between sectors: 58% of technology companies consider them significant, highlighting their interconnection with other challenges, such as cybersecurity, outsourcing of services and the use of artificial intelligence.

Despite the clear business benefits of ESG investing, many organizations continue to treat sustainability as a stand-alone initiative rather than an integrated strategic component that can drive business competitiveness and innovation.

Most ESG projects are developed primarily in response to external pressures, such as regulators (30%) and stakeholders (40%). Only 21% of companies are actively working to integrate ESG projects into overall business strategies, demonstrating that there is still significant room for improvement.

ESG Investment Perspectives

Despite political uncertainty stemming from the 2024 US presidential election, which is leading to a sharp reversal of Biden-era policies on sustainability, 77% of companies plan to maintain (33%) or increase (44%) ESG investments in 2025. The technology (55%) and retail (45%) sectors stand out for their propensity to increase investments. Key areas of focus include promoting employee health and well-being (40%), developing sustainable products (39%), and reducing operating costs (35%).

An industry analysis reveals that 52% of technology companies consider sustainable supply chain management a priority, a challenge made more complex by rising data center CO2 emissions, linked to the growing use of artificial intelligence. In contrast, manufacturing and retail are more focused on cost reduction, with 45% and 41% of CFOs, respectively, citing this as a strategic priority.

Towards a complete business transformation

The CFO Sustainability Outlook Survey highlights how ESG represents an essential strategic element to face the challenges of 2025. It is no longer a simple regulatory obligation , but a crucial lever to stimulate innovation, increase revenues and strengthen competitiveness in an increasingly complex global context.

Organizations face increasing pressure to comply with ESG regulations and stakeholder expectations, but there remains a significant gap between reactive initiatives and integrated strategies. To bridge this gap, advancing in sustainability maturity and maximizing the value of ESG strategies becomes a forced step.

CFOs, in particular, are called upon to play a leadership role in driving the transition to sustainable business models. They must avoid isolating sustainability as a separate initiative, but instead integrate it into all business operations to improve risk management and respond more effectively to stakeholder expectations.

In addition, companies should focus investments in areas with the highest impact-effort ratio, finding the point where sustainability and economic benefits meet. Finally, they must prepare for greater demands for transparency on ESG statements, both globally and locally, as access to sustainable finance will increasingly depend on clear and detailed reporting.

Targeted investments and strong governance will be key to turning sustainability into a lasting competitive advantage, ensuring organizations can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.

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First published in ESG NEWS. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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