Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) for charities trends reports

UK’s only Charity ESG Survey & Trends Reports: At a time when UK charities face mounting pressures and regulatory complexity, clarity and prioritisation have never been more critical.

In its first year, 78 not-for-profit organisations participated in what we believed to be the first such tool, designed specifically for charities in England and Wales. The ESG survey has continued to gain momentum, with 63 additional organisations taking part in 2025. The surveys have revealed that charities and other not-for-profit organisations of all sizes are interested in ESG but that many organisations are early in their ESG journey, but keen to advance.

At a time when they face a host of challenges and competing demands on their resources, staff considerations (flexible working, pay, engagement, health and wellbeing) are a clear priority and an area where organisations report the most significant progress across the 2 years.

Only a small percentage (5% in 2025 and 3% in 2024) of participating organisations have a holistic ESG strategy with charities having to choose where to focus their time and budgets. In addition, an average of just over 50% of organisations over the 2 years (43% in 2025 and 67% in 2024) described their ESG reporting in their most recent annual report as ‘minimal’.

In this context, drawing on our survey data, we have identified the following three key insights:

Insight 1: Not-for-profit organisations face a confusing landscape of overlapping approaches and changing expectations around their environmental, social and governance activity.

Participating organisations reported using over 100 external, ESG-related accreditations, standards, frameworks and marks. Despite this, they say they want and need more charity-facing support, resources and guidance, to help them take an integrated, strategic approach to ESG.

Insight 2: Participating organisations’ environmental progress lags behind their social and governance progress, with many organisations focussing on no- or low-cost environmental initiatives.

But while financial caution is sensible, as donors, commissioners and regulators are increasing their expectations in this area, meaningful environmental progress is moving from a ‘nice to have’ to a strategic necessity.

Insight 3: The not-for-profit sector leads by example on staff wellbeing, prioritising staff experience and innovating to engage staff in all aspects of their organisations.

When it comes to the ‘S’ of ESG, many organisations are choosing to focus on those areas that directly relate to supporting and developing staff in their roles – nevertheless, as a sector, we need to do much more to effectively embed equity, diversity and inclusivity within organisations.

Download the 2025 ESG Trends report.

Register for the 2026 ESG survey

Please complete this form if you’d like to be kept in touch about the dates for the 2026 ESG survey which will be open from Tuesday 26th May 2026 to Friday 24th July 2026.

Download the 2024 Environmental, Social & Governance Trends Report: