The 2026 Sustainability Census is now open for submissions.
This is a global survey exploring the people and progress driving sustainable change. By taking part, you’ll help reveal key themes, from broad ambitions to targeted questions, such as the relevance of climate mitigation to organisational survival.
In a year when economic and political pressures have tested sustainability agendas, our industry continues to show remarkable resilience. This free, confidential survey is designed for sustainability and impact professionals who want to strengthen their field and shape a fairer, more inclusive future.
Participants receive early access to anonymised results, offering valuable insights into pay, equity, working patterns and the varying progress of sustainability efforts across Europe, the Americas and APAC. The survey is completely confidential and takes just 10 minutes to complete.
Education and Background
We explore how professionals enter the sustainability space, from academic pathways to career shifts. This section sheds light on your journey, helping us understand the routes into the field and how diverse experiences are shaping the future of sustainability leadership across industries, sectors, and levels of seniority.
Salary and Remuneration
By collecting data on pay, bonuses and benefits, we build reliable, role-specific benchmarks across regions and sectors. These insights empower individuals and organisations to understand value in the market, advocate for fairness, and make informed decisions around reward strategies that support long-term careers in sustainability.
Evolution of Roles and Teams
This section examines how sustainability functions are structured and shifting. We gather insight into team sizes, reporting lines, and cross-functional collaboration to understand how the profession is evolving. It helps track growth, resourcing challenges, and where new roles are emerging in response to changing demands.
Employers and
Organisations
We look at how companies are tackling sustainability in 2026. From commitments and budgets to leadership buy-in and policy, your responses reveal where progress is happening, where it’s stalling, and how organisational ambition compares across regions, industries, and types of business.
Future Ambitions and Progression
We want to know what drives you. This part explores your motivations, future plans, and the direction you’d like your career to take. It helps shape a clearer picture of what the next generation of sustainability leaders are aiming for, and how organisations can support those ambitions.
Previous Census Results |
Previous Census Results |
Acre, SLR
2020 CR & Sustainability Salary Survey
Acre, Carnstone, Flag
2018 CR & Sustainability Salary Survey
Acre, Flag, Carnstone
2016 CR & Sustainability Salary Survey
Acre, Flag, Carnrstone
2014 CR & Sustainability Salary Survey
Acre, Flag, Carnstone
2012 CR & Sustainability Salary Survey
Acre, Carnstone, Ethical Performance, Flag
2010 CSR Salary Survey
Acre, Carnstone, Ethical Performance
2008 CSR Salary Survey
Acre, Carnstone, Ethical Performance
2007 CSR Salary Survey
Acre, Carnstone, Ethical Performance
Gain insights that fuel your 2026/27 strategy
The 2026 Sustainability Census will offer in-depth insights to power your sustainability strategy. It goes beyond salary benchmarking to reveal how teams are structured, what employees truly value, and where gaps exist across the market.
You’ll gain clarity on hiring trends, team resources, working patterns, and global remuneration, arming you with the data to make informed decisions, attract top talent, and design impactful, future-ready teams. If you’re shaping a sustainability function, this is your blueprint for doing it better.
FAQs
How do I view the 2026 Census?
The 2026 Census is currently in its data collection phase. Once responses are in and the data has been fully analysed, we’ll publish the full report. If you take part in the survey, you’ll be among the first to receive a copy before it’s released more widely. It’s our way of thanking you for contributing and ensuring you benefit directly from the insights you’ve helped create.
Do I have to work specifically within a sustainability role to take part?
Not necessarily. You don’t need ‘sustainability’ in your job title, but your role should involve sustainability in some way - whether that’s ESG reporting, climate strategy, responsible sourcing, or anything else that touches on environmental or social impact. If your work contributes to sustainability goals, your voice matters in this survey.
How anonymous is this survey?
Your privacy is our priority. All responses are fully anonymised and treated with strict confidentiality. No individual answers will ever be published or linked back to you. We only share aggregated insights, so you can take part knowing that your information is secure and your identity will not be revealed in any way.
What benefit does this survey have on the wider sustainability professional community?
The Census provides a comprehensive snapshot of the sustainability profession - covering salaries, team structures, job satisfaction, EDI, and more. These insights support strategic decisions around team building, investment, and policy. They also help organisations benchmark themselves and give professionals the data they need to advocate for change and resources.
What does it cost to view the results?
Nothing. The Sustainability Census is entirely free to access. We don’t believe in paywalls for something that benefits the wider sustainability profession. Our goal is to make these insights accessible and impactful, helping individuals, teams, and businesses make informed, strategic decisions based on real-world data.
How do I view an archive of the previous census results from 2007 to 2024?
You can access all previous Sustainability Census reports directly from the homepage of the Sustainability Census website. That includes the latest 2024 edition, which saw a record number of responses and a broader focus beyond salary. It covered everything from team resources to EDI and job satisfaction. We’ll also aim to show trends over time in this year’s edition using data from previous census results.