Two major new studies — by the G&A Institute and the OECD — show that ESG reporting not only remains widespread but continues to expand across global markets, despite regulatory uncertainties and polarized public debate.
According to the G&A Institute’s latest Sustainability Reporting in Focus analysis, ESG disclosure is now standard practice among U.S.-listed companies. 94% of firms in the Russell 1000 publish sustainability reports, rising to 99% among the S&P 500. The OECD’s Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2025 reveals a similar trend: 12,900 companies issued ESG disclosures in 2024 — up from 9,600 in 2022 — representing 91% of global market capitalization.
Reporting standards remain diverse.
In the U.S., SASB is still the most widely used framework, while adoption of TCFD grew the fastest over the past year. Globally, the OECD identifies GRI as the dominant standard (used by 6,500+ companies), followed by TCFD (4,800+) and SASB (~3,500).
New frameworks — ESRS and IFRS Sustainability — are emerging but unevenly adopted.
G&A found that only seven companies reported under both IFRS S1 and S2 in 2024, while 15% aligned with ISSB requirements in some form. ESRS adoption among U.S. companies remains at just 1%, and analysts expect slower growth due to ongoing EU efforts to ease reporting burdens.
The OECD, however, forecasts that ISSB, ESRS, and GRI will jointly shape the future global ESG landscape. It counts 582 companies already applying IFRS S1/S2 (fully or partially), while 1,800 firms have entered the first wave of ESRS compliance.
Assurance rates are rising but still limited.
G&A reports that 51% of companies now obtain external assurance for at least part of their ESG data — nearly double the share from 2019 — yet only 4% achieve full-report assurance. The OECD estimates the global assurance rate at 42%.
The studies also highlight regulatory divergence. While federal climate disclosure rules have stalled in the U.S., individual states are moving ahead: California plans to introduce mandatory climate reporting starting in 2026, with requirements expected to mirror TCFD and ISSB frameworks.
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