Global businesses are ramping up efforts to improve environmental, social, and ethical performance throughout their operations and supply chain. This shift is supported by data showing a 167% rise in sustainability ratings over the past five years. The trend signals that companies are moving beyond one‑time assessments toward sustained, measurable improvements that enhance resilience and performance.

Asia‑Pacific stood out in 2024, delivering the strongest gains across environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Already ahead of North America in environmental performance, APAC is rapidly closing in on sustainable procurement, where supplier‑level action is proving to be a key driver of value and return on investment.

More companies with multiple assessments are now classified as top performers with 27 percent achieving that status—more than double the figure from 2020. Meanwhile, sustainability rating momentum accelerated globally in 2024 as China overtook the United States in rating activity and Africa and the Middle East led with a 42 percent surge. These signs point to a global shift where commitment to sustainability delivers risk reduction cost savings supply chain clarity and growth.