“Action lagging” on sustainability, says IOSH

In its new white paper Sustainability stalled, IOSH reveals a troubling disconnect between awareness of sustainability goals and meaningful implementation. It urges governments, businesses and investors to take urgent, coordinated action to embed social sustainability into corporate strategy and supply chains.

This report outlines a series of targeted recommendations designed to help organisations move from promise to practice. In it, IOSH calls on governments to integrate occupational safety and health (OSH) into national development plans and climate strategies. It recommends mandating human rights and labour rights due diligence across supply chains. And it also demands aligning regulatory frameworks with global standards such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Businesses meanwhile are encouraged to embed good OSH into their core values and goals, through policies and processes, particularly those relating to procurement. There is also a need to conduct SDG impact assessments – to identify where they can impact these – and develop climate-related worker protection strategies. Investors are called on to demand transparency around social impact metrics and prioritise companies with robust human rights practices.

The white paper is based on a global survey of 1,059 senior business leaders and reveals widespread challenges. While 87 per cent of respondents say they have visibility into how suppliers treat workers, only 54 per cent are fully confident those suppliers genuinely prioritise safety and wellbeing. Only 58 per cent of organisations receive OSH reporting from all suppliers, with 34 per cent receiving OSH reporting from only tier one and two suppliers.

Ruth Wilkinson, IOSH’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “The findings from this research show that while awareness of social sustainability is high, action is lagging. IOSH has been championing the role of OSH within social sustainability for more than two decades. But this research has provided us with the opportunity to see what is really happening within global businesses of all sizes.

“We know that organisations are facing increasing pressures – from regulatory changes, stakeholder expectations and the evolving world of work. But these challenges also present opportunities. By putting people at the heart of sustainability, businesses can build resilience, drive innovation and create environments where workers thrive.”

The report also highlights regional disparities in sustainability engagement. Businesses in developing countries report higher awareness of the SDGs and greater visibility into supplier practices yet often lack strategic prioritisation. In contrast, organisations in developed economies may have stronger regulatory environments but lower engagement with global sustainability frameworks.

IOSH believes that social sustainability is the backbone of resilient organisations and that OSH is fundamental to building sustainable workforces and communities. The white paper is a call to action for all stakeholders to move beyond awareness and deliver lasting, people-centred change.

Ruth added: “IOSH is committed to supporting organisations on this journey. We want to see OSH recognised not just as a compliance function, but as a strategic enabler of decent work, sustainable growth and wellbeing. The time to act is now.”