New study: ESG remains relevant for companies - strategic focus is increasing

Together with the market and opinion research institute Civey, the Chair of Business Management, especially Responsible Management at IHI Zittau (TU Dresden), under the direction of Prof. Dr. Markus Scholz, has published a new study on the relevance, challenges and perspectives of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) in German companies (you can download the report in german here ).

Between February 10 and March 4, 2025, 1,500 private sector decision-makers from companies with at least 50 employees were surveyed. The results show that ESG continues to be a relevant topic, but one that is increasingly being evaluated from a strategic and economic perspective.

The study focuses on seven theses on the current and future role of ESG in corporate practice. It becomes clear that ecological issues such as energy efficiency, emissions reduction and the use of renewable energies currently enjoy the highest priority. Socio-political aspects such as diversity, inclusion and democratic values, on the other hand, are met with reluctance.

A key finding: although companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of democratic stability for economic activity, corporate commitment in this area has so far remained limited. The study sees this as a strategic area of tension between societal responsibility and economic risk minimization.

The findings of the study are taken up in the article "Geschäft schlägt Gewissen" (Business beats conscience) in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, which was published on June 30, 2025. You can find the article under this link.

You can download the full report on the study in german here.