The most commonly stated barrier to ESG effectiveness according to executives surveyed in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, and India in 2021 was balancing ESG with growth targets, according to 40 percent of the respondents. Other top barriers mentioned were lack of reporting standards and regulations/complexity, lack of attention or support from leadership, and volatility of regulatory requirements.
Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021
Adjust the presentation of the statistic and data points.
Share the statistic on social media channels or embed the statistic in your
website using "Embed Code", where available.
Cite this statistic and select one of the following formats: APA, Chicago, Harvard, MLA & Bluebook.
Print the statistic including description and metadata.
Chart type
Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021
Share this statistic
You have no right to use this feature.
Make sure to contact us if you are interested in scientific citation.
You can upgrade your account to enable this functionality for all statistics.
This feature is not available with your current account.Request access
This question was phrased by the source as follows: "which of the following do you feel are the biggest barriers preventing your company from progressing on environmental, social, and governance issues"
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
PwC US. (June 15, 2021). Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 01, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297457/leading-barriers-to-esg-effectiveness/
PwC US. "Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021 ." Chart. June 15, 2021. Statista. Accessed April 01, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297457/leading-barriers-to-esg-effectiveness/
PwC US. (2021). Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021 . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 01, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297457/leading-barriers-to-esg-effectiveness/
PwC US. "Largest Barriers to Esg Progress Worldwide in 2021 ." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Jun 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297457/leading-barriers-to-esg-effectiveness/
PwC US, Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297457/leading-barriers-to-esg-effectiveness/ (last visited April 01, 2025)
Largest barriers to ESG progress worldwide in 2021 [Graph], PwC US, June 15, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1297457/leading-barriers-to-esg-effectiveness/
Profit from additional features with an Employee Account
Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.