Over 80% of CSOs believe closer collaboration with C-Suite will enable sustainability goals

The CSO has reached a critical point, with chief sustainability officers (CSOs), facing a range of new challenges and opportunities. CSOs have experienced a significant shift towards valued leaders within corporate governance, but their rise in responsibilities is shifting priorities from innovation to compliance.

Collaborating with business leaders

The CSO at Crossroads report produced by BSR suggests that over 80% of CSOs believe collaborating with other C-Suite leaders helps support the progression of sustainability plans. The focus on teamwork within leadership roles is critical for delivering ambitious sustainability goals and aligning these objectives with core business functions. Business leaders explain that sustainability has shifted from the peripheries into a core driver of long-term growth.

The next challenge of balancing innovation and compliance

While there has been clear progress, CSOs are experiencing a growing challenge of balancing regulatory compliance with the need to deliver strategic innovation. Only about 50% of CSOs spend most of their time on high-value activities, as rising compliance requirements are taking more of their time and attention. In the report, several CSOs emphasised that there is more focus on compliance, and a lot of time is allocated towards reporting, reflecting on how these demands can deter long-term innovation.

The Three possible routes for CSOs

Based on the report findings, CSOs have reached a stage and could take several paths forward:

A balanced manager approach – focusing on compliance and risk management, delivering steady progress and improvements.
An integrated and strategic approach – embedding sustainability into corporate strategy, leveraging it for business growth.
Transformative approach – applying sustainability plans to adapt the business model, committed toward innovation and long-term resilience.

Each option represents different ways to manage the rising challenges and opportunities facing CSOs in their evolving roles in an organisation.