People, Planet, Progress: How CHROs Drive Sustainability Deep in an Organization

Our Cookie Policy has been updated! The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy. For more information on how The Conference Board collects and uses personal data, please visit our privacy policy. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "OK", you acknowledge our privacy policy and consent to the use of cookies.

People, Planet, Progress: How CHROs Drive Sustainability Deep in an Organization

17 January 2025 / Report

Download Report

Leveraging their expertise in change management and organizational dynamics, chief human resource officers (CHROs) can strengthen internal collaboration, accountability, and buy in to drive sustainability deep into the organization and reinforce it as a core element of strategy and culture. This report is based on a survey of 38 human capital and sustainability executives, and six follow-up interviews with individuals in Europe-based multinationals conducted at the end of 2024.

Key Insights

CHROs should act as a catalyst for transformational change in any effort to embed an organization’s sustainability strategy deeper into its operations and culture.
To assume a more proactive, strategic, and impactful role in sustainable transformation, human resources (HR) must shift away from a compliance-focused mindset. HR leaders need to recognize that their responsibilities extend beyond just reporting on and addressing the social aspects of environmental, social & governance (ESG) regulations. They have a clear role to play in enhancing organizational capability around ESG by monitoring and accelerating tangible actions by creating relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and embedding ESG metrics into performance and reward decisions.
CHROs play an important role in accelerating the adoption of a sustainability strategy by ensuring the organization’s design and governance structures clarify accountability and responsibility for action. This, in turn, will lead to greater internal alignment by strengthening collaboration and overcoming any internal tensions.
CHROs must prioritize internal capability building within HR functions, sustainability teams, and the wider organization by proactively improving ESG knowledge and proficiency throughout the organization and ensuring the business has the “green” skills and expertise needed to succeed.
With reporting requirements likely to increase, HR teams need to improve data quality on a global scale. The more rigorous reporting regulations, while presenting challenges, are an opportunity for CHROs to position themselves as leaders in ESG initiatives, contribute to cross-functional data alignment, and monitor a sustainability strategy’s impact on issues such as training requirements and employee engagement.

Leveraging their expertise in change management and organizational dynamics, chief human resource officers (CHROs) can strengthen internal collaboration, accountability, and buy in to drive sustainability deep into the organization and reinforce it as a core element of strategy and culture. This report is based on a survey of 38 human capital and sustainability executives, and six follow-up interviews with individuals in Europe-based multinationals conducted at the end of 2024.

Key Insights

CHROs should act as a catalyst for transformational change in any effort to embed an organization’s sustainability strategy deeper into its operations and culture.
To assume a more proactive, strategic, and impactful role in sustainable transformation, human resources (HR) must shift away from a compliance-focused mindset. HR leaders need to recognize that their responsibilities extend beyond just reporting on and addressing the social aspects of environmental, social & governance (ESG) regulations. They have a clear role to play in enhancing organizational capability around ESG by monitoring and accelerating tangible actions by creating relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) and embedding ESG metrics into performance and reward decisions.
CHROs play an important role in accelerating the adoption of a sustainability strategy by ensuring the organization’s design and governance structures clarify accountability and responsibility for action. This, in turn, will lead to greater internal alignment by strengthening collaboration and overcoming any internal tensions.
CHROs must prioritize internal capability building within HR functions, sustainability teams, and the wider organization by proactively improving ESG knowledge and proficiency throughout the organization and ensuring the business has the “green” skills and expertise needed to succeed.
With reporting requirements likely to increase, HR teams need to improve data quality on a global scale. The more rigorous reporting regulations, while presenting challenges, are an opportunity for CHROs to position themselves as leaders in ESG initiatives, contribute to cross-functional data alignment, and monitor a sustainability strategy’s impact on issues such as training requirements and employee engagement.

Authors

Katie Jacobs

Business Journalist, Editor

Marion Devine

Principal Researcher, Human Capital, Europe
The Conference Board

Jean-Marc Verbist

Jean-Marc Verbist

Center Leader, Human Capital, Europe
The Conference Board

This publication is available to you, but you need to sign in to myTCB^® or create an account to access it.To learn more about becoming a Member click here. To check if your company is a Member, click here

Sign In

Forgot your password

Create An Account

Keep my computer signed in

Forgot your password

Create An Account

myTCB^® Members get exclusive access to webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to events.

Other Related Resources

Chart

CHROs are most impactful when they bridge both the boardroom and C-Suite

CHROs are most impactful when they bridge both the boardroom and C-Suite

July 24, 2025

Podcasts

S2E8 - Will Pay Transparency Cause HR Havoc

S2E8 - Will Pay Transparency Cause HR Havoc

July 10, 2025

Podcasts

S2E7 - Can Women Crack The Asia C-Suite?

S2E7 - Can Women Crack The Asia C-Suite?

June 19, 2025

Podcasts

S2E6 - Should We All Work A Four-Day Week?

S2E6 - Should We All Work A Four-Day Week?

June 10, 2025

Report

Cracking the Code: How to Reduce Regretted Employee Losses

Cracking the Code: How to Reduce Regretted Employee Losses

June 02, 2025

Chart

Infographic: The ROI of Employer Branding

Infographic: The ROI of Employer Branding

May 12, 2025

Chart

Infographic: Evolving Total Rewards Framework

Infographic: Evolving Total Rewards Framework

April 10, 2025

Report

Five EU Directives CHROs Must Prepare for in 2025

Five EU Directives CHROs Must Prepare for in 2025

April 07, 2025

Article

A Tale of Two Continents: The Impact of US DEI Policy on European Businesses

A Tale of Two Continents: The Impact of US DEI Policy on European Businesses

April 04, 2025

Report

Women Who Inspire and Elevate

Women Who Inspire and Elevate

March 27, 2025

Essay

CHROs: The Missing Link in Sustainable Transformation

CHROs: The Missing Link in Sustainable Transformation

March 24, 2025

Chart

Infographic: Skilling at Speed and Scale: Five Guideposts to Success

Infographic: Skilling at Speed and Scale: Five Guideposts to Success

March 21, 2025

Report

Steady Hands in Stormy Seas: Human Capital as the Anchor of Business Resilience

Steady Hands in Stormy Seas: Human Capital as the Anchor of Business Resilience

March 13, 2025

Database

CEO Confidence Dashboard

CEO Confidence Dashboard

January 27, 2025

Report

The Human Compass: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

The Human Compass: Navigating Leadership in the Age of AI

December 16, 2024

Report

Euro Area Outlook 2025–2039

Euro Area Outlook 2025–2039

December 13, 2024

Article

Navigating Europe’s Tight Labor Market

Navigating Europe’s Tight Labor Market

December 11, 2024

Chart

CHROs can press on six gears to improve human productivity

CHROs can press on six gears to improve human productivity

December 10, 2024

Report

CEO Confidence Drops in Europe

CEO Confidence Drops in Europe

November 28, 2024

Podcasts

S1E11 - The Great Skills Shift: Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce

S1E11 - The Great Skills Shift: Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce

November 22, 2024

Chart

Infographic: Beyond Backlash: The Continued Benefits of DEI

Infographic: Beyond Backlash: The Continued Benefits of DEI

November 13, 2024

Chart

CHROs are most impactful when they bridge both the boardroom and C-Suite

CHROs are most impactful when they bridge both the boardroom and C-Suite

July 24, 2025

Podcasts

S2E8 - Will Pay Transparency Cause HR Havoc

S2E8 - Will Pay Transparency Cause HR Havoc

July 10, 2025

Podcasts

S2E7 - Can Women Crack The Asia C-Suite?

S2E7 - Can Women Crack The Asia C-Suite?

June 19, 2025

Upcoming Webcasts

Focusing on Digital Well-Being in the Workplace

Focusing on Digital Well-Being in the Workplace

August 12, 2025

Conference

Future: People Asia

Future: People Asia

September 04, 2025

Upcoming Webcasts

Reinventing the Employee Experience

Reinventing the Employee Experience

October 14, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

Change is Changing: How Organizations Can Master Change Management

Change is Changing: How Organizations Can Master Change Management

July 08, 2025

Conference

CHRO Summit: Navigating through a Tsunami of Change

CHRO Summit: Navigating through a Tsunami of Change

June 24, 2025

On Demand Webcasts

How to Navigate the Reimagined Workplace in 2025

How to Navigate the Reimagined Workplace in 2025

June 17, 2025

Conference

Future: Reward Europe 2025

Future: Reward Europe 2025

June 05, 2025

Councils

Gulf Business Women Leaders Council

Gulf Business Women Leaders Council

Councils

Global Business Women Leaders Council

Global Business Women Leaders Council

Councils

Strategic People Analytics & Planning Council

Strategic People Analytics & Planning Council

Councils

European Inclusion Council

European Inclusion Council

Councils

Learning & Development Council

Learning & Development Council

Councils

Wellbeing Executives Council

Wellbeing Executives Council

Councils

Global Benefits Council

Global Benefits Council

Councils

Councils

Corporate Reward Council

Corporate Reward Council

Councils

International Reward Council

International Reward Council

Councils

CHRO Council Germany

CHRO Council Germany

Councils

Conseil Global CHRO

Conseil Global CHRO

Councils

Leadership, Talent & Organizational Transformation Council

Leadership, Talent & Organizational Transformation Council

Councils

HR Operations Council

HR Operations Council

Upcoming Webcasts

Focusing on Digital Well-Being in the Workplace

Focusing on Digital Well-Being in the Workplace

August 12, 2025

Conference

Future: People Asia

Future: People Asia

September 04, 2025

Upcoming Webcasts

Reinventing the Employee Experience

Reinventing the Employee Experience

October 14, 2025

Conference Board Sample Web Chat