According to the Forvis Mazars C-Suite Barometer 2026, which surveyed more than 3,000 leaders across 40 countries, 32% of Irish executives rank sustainability as their top priority, compared to a global average of 21%.
This reflects Ireland’s position as a small, open economy embedded in global value chains, particularly across life sciences, technology, financial services and food and beverage. Sustainability is no longer a standalone agenda; it is being driven by customers, regulators, investors and supply chains simultaneously.
For CEOs, the implication is clear: sustainability is now a core driver of competitiveness, not a compliance exercise.
Across sectors, sustainability is increasingly influencing:
For internationally focused businesses, this is particularly pronounced. Ireland’s role as a hub for global investment, especially in financial services, is accelerating expectations around green and sustainable practices.
As a result, sustainability is becoming central to how organisations win work, secure funding and maintain market access.
Recent EU Omnibus changes have reduced the number of Irish companies directly in scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), with as few as 250 entities now expected to report.
However, the indirect impact remains significant. Thousands of Irish businesses continue to experience “spillover” effects stemming from their positions in global value chains. Larger customers and partners still require sustainability data, transparency and alignment with ESG standards.
For many organisations, the priority has shifted from compliance to commercial alignment, ensuring they remain:
In this environment, sustainability is less about reporting and more about protecting and growing revenue streams.
A central theme emerging from the C-Suite Barometer is the need for leaders to respond to ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
Businesses are simultaneously managing:
Sustainability is increasingly being used as a framework for decision-making, helping organisations:
It is also becoming embedded within strategic planning cycles, particularly as organisations reset their three-year strategies.
The role of sustainability is evolving rapidly. Organisations are moving beyond broad, compliance-driven reporting towards targeted investment in areas that deliver measurable value.
Over the next three years, sustainability will play a critical role in:
As John Elkington, the Godfather of Sustainability, notes, markets are shifting beyond ESG-led compliance towards “sustainability-driven innovation and transformational value-chain strategies.”
For executive teams, this requires a shift in mindset, from reacting to regulatory noise to actively shaping strategy around sustainability opportunities.
Sustainability is now a boardroom issue with direct implications for growth, risk and competitive positioning.
Leaders should be asking:
At Forvis Mazars, we support organisations at every stage of their sustainability journey, from strategy through to implementation.
Our services include:
Whether you are responding to customer demands, preparing for future regulation or looking to unlock growth opportunities, our team can help you turn sustainability into a practical driver of performance and resilience.
Get in touch with our sustainability team to discuss how we can support your organisation.
Our latest study uncovers a business world embracing change, investing in technology and people, and reimagining strategies to stay ahead of disruption and competition. Success now rests on adaptability as much as ambition.
Irish business leaders are prioritising sustainability to drive growth.
Johnny Meehan, Head of Sustainability Consulting, recently spoke with Stephen Wynne-Jones from the Business Post to contribute to their Energy & Renewables: Planning Ireland's Energy Future Special Report, published in March 2026. The full text of the article is available below.
Guidance on the simplified EU sustainability reporting requirements for organisations located both inside and outside the Union
Sustainability and ESG must be at the heart of every organisation's business model
Transforming organisations by aligning people, processes and technology.
Independence and rigour that provides confidence and transparency for stakeholders and society.
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