Business · Companies · 1 day ago
One in four Brazilian companies embeds ESG in business strategy
A study of 765 companies in Brazil assessed how deeply they include environmental, social and governance issues in their businesses.
It found that 25.5% reached the two highest maturity levels, where sustainability shapes strategy or wider industry action.
Most companies were at the management level, with ESG in internal processes but not fully built into strategic decisions.
Only 19 companies reached the most advanced level, which involves working across value chains and seeking to influence sectors or public policy.
The study identified obstacles including weak implementation of policies, limited climate targets validated by outside groups, and little engagement with suppliers and other partners.
Banks, oil and gas, and electricity had the highest sector scores, while media and consumer services scored lower.
The findings point to a gap between sustainability commitments and action, but give no timeline or next steps for the companies assessed.
Only one in four Brazilian companies has incorporated environmental, social and governance issues into its business strategy, a study found.
The study assessed 765 companies, and 25.5% reached the two highest levels of its ESG maturity framework.
Most companies were at the management stage, where ESG practices are part of business processes but not fully embedded in strategic decisions.
Banks, oil, gas and coal, and electric power had the highest sector scores.
Reported obstacles include gaps between sustainability policies and implementation, limited use of independently validated climate targets, and weak value-chain engagement.
- Who
- The UN Global Compact Brazil Network and IDIS assessed 765 companies.
- What
- The study found that 25.5% reached the two highest ESG maturity levels.
- When
- The article was published on November 8, 2026. The study date is not stated.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The study examined how far companies have incorporated environmental, social and governance issues into their business strategies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Companies assessed
- 765
- At the two highest ESG maturity levels
- 25.5%
- Management stage
- 45.8%
- Strategic stage
- 23%
- Civil stage
- 19 companies, or 2.5%
- Highest sector score
- Banks, 0.667
What people are saying
Being at the most advanced stage, the civil stage, means actively influencing your sector or even public policies. For that, a company must already be mature enough to coordinate that mobilization.