Key Takeaways
- Sustainability isn’t just about compliance; businesses integrating ESG strategies are seeing long-term growth and resilience.
- As industries evolve, academic institutions need to embed ESG insights into curricula to equip students with relevant, career-ready skills.
- IBISWorld’s tools help faculty analyze sustainability trends, regulatory shifts, and business strategies to enhance teaching and research.
As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical focus across industries, academic institutions play a key role in preparing future professionals to navigate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges. With ESG considerations reshaping business strategies, access to reliable data is essential for understanding these complex dynamics.
IBISWorld’s industry research provides valuable ESG insights that help faculty and students explore sustainability’s role across sectors. From analyzing regulatory shifts to evaluating corporate sustainability efforts, industry intelligence supports more informed decision-making in academic settings.
Key themes and industry trends
ESG trends are reshaping industries
The global green economy is projected to surge from $1.3 trillion in 2020 to $10.3 trillion by 2050, as companies embed sustainability into their core strategies. ESG is no longer just about compliance—it’s a driver of competitive advantage.
Across industries, businesses are adopting sustainable supply chains, emissions reduction strategies and ethical governance frameworks to remain resilient in a shifting regulatory landscape. Understanding these trends is crucial for professionals—and by extension, for the students preparing to enter these industries.
Academic institutions are expanding sustainability-focused learning
Universities are incorporating sustainability into business, economics, ethics and policy courses to prepare students for ESG-driven careers. As industries evolve, employers are seeking graduates who can analyze ESG risks, track regulatory developments and identify sustainability opportunities—making ESG a key competency for the future workforce.
Access to data-driven industry insights helps faculty structure curricula around real-world sustainability challenges. By using research tools like IBISWorld’s Industry Reports, Business Environment Profiles and ESG Modules, educators can integrate case studies, regulatory analysis and market trends into lesson plans.
Actionable takeaways for academic professionals
Embed ESG topics across disciplines
Sustainability is relevant beyond business and economics—integrate ESG discussions into ethics, policy and science courses to reflect industry realities.
Prepare students for ESG-driven careers
Help students analyze sustainability risks and opportunities, encouraging research into how different industries are adapting to ESG challenges.
Leverage industry insights for real-world learning
Use industry data and case studies to connect academic theory with practical applications, equipping students with the analytical skills employers value.
How IBISWorld helps academics navigate ESG trends
IBISWorld equips academic institutions with industry intelligence that brings ESG concepts to life in research, coursework and student learning.
- Industry and ESG reports: Faculty can integrate real-world sustainability case studies, industry risk assessments and ESG benchmarks into lectures and assignments.
- Business Environment Profiles and risk ratings: Educators and students can analyze sustainability challenges across industries, from carbon emissions regulations to fair labor practices.
- Industry Wizard and data insights: Researchers can identify which industries are most affected by ESG trends, helping them explore how businesses are adapting to sustainability pressures.
By leveraging these tools, universities can ensure students are equipped with practical, data-driven ESG knowledge, giving them a competitive edge in the evolving job market.
Final Word
Sustainability is more than a trend—it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate and how students should approach the future of work. By embedding ESG insights into academic research and teaching, institutions can equip students with the knowledge needed to navigate emerging risks and opportunities in an evolving global economy.
For those who want to explore the full insights from IBISWorld, access the presentation slides to dive deeper into sustainability strategies shaping industries worldwide.
