Issues Facing EHS Professionals

Looking across the EHS landscape, a recent survey from Intelex found that going into 2026, 82% of those surveyed felt that the profession will become both more influential and strategic. Furthermore, the EHS function of companies will be increasingly involved in driving sustainability and environmental goals.

One of the most interesting findings of the survey is that there is a gap when it comes to how leaders view EHS compared to EHS professionals. 

Leadership Engagement

The survey looked at how engaged the leadership was with the EHS departments at their companies. In North America, 55% are engaged. And for comparison, in Europe, the percentage engaged is 67%, with the UK at 74%. 

The survey asked respondents how engaged the executive team was with their EHS programs and respondents answered as follows:

Highly engaged -- they actively participate and champion EHS initiatives -- 55%

Somewhat engaged -- provide support but are not deeply involved --36%

Occasionally engaged --involved only with major issues arise --4%

Minimally engaged --rarely participate or show interest --3%

Not engaged at all--EHS is not a leadership priority --2%

The survey discusses gaps in focus between those in leadership positions and EHS professionals. While senior leaders prioritize outcomes, EHS professionals are more concerned with programs and activities. 

Other Industry Trends 

There is still a way to go in creating effective safety cultures

When asked which of the following best describes the safety culture at their company, they answered as follows:

We have mandatory protocols that every employee must learn and follow. –21%

We largely respond to incidents, creating protocols to avoid a repeat. –31%

We expect employees to take responsibility for their own safety and provide everything they need to do so.—29%

Our employees actively take responsibility for both their own safety and the safety of their co-workers. –19%

Generational shifts are changing how we engage people

When asked how the changing generational makeup among workers is influencing respondents' approach to EHS, they responded as follows:

We are delivering just-in-time guidance that workers can access during tasks. –45%

We are training our managers on how to communicate across the generations.38%

We are adopting new approaches to how we engage workers in EHS.—37%

We are making EHS guidance available in shorter, mobile-ready formats. —36%

We are creating guidance materials in a broader range of formats—35%

We are delivering less in-person training.—23%

It has no material impact on how we deliver EHS—6%

EHS professionals are investing more in ESG programs 

When asked about their actions over the past 12–18 months concerning investment in ESG, the respondents answered as follows: 

Increased ESG investment—41%

Maintained ESG investment—49%

Reduced ESG investment—9%

We haven’t invested in ESG initiatives—1%

The report goes into further detail on issues mentioned above, as well as how to build a better safety culture.