• Disconnect in Leadership: While 66% of young professionals feel responsible for driving ESG initiatives, only 10% report having the autonomy to take meaningful action: KPMG
• Career Priorities: Nearly half of young respondents (48%) would leave a job if their organization lacked commitment to climate and social impact, showcasing the strong link between ESG practices and career choices.
• Barriers to Change: Cost of decarbonization (29%) and a lack of senior leadership will (26%) are cited as major barriers to achieving climate goals.

A recent KPMG International report, Leaders 2050, reveals that young professionals worldwide are feeling disempowered in supporting their organizations’ climate goals. The survey, involving over 800 young people aged 18 to 35 across 48 countries, indicates that while 66% of respondents feel responsible for driving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact, only 10% feel they have the autonomy or empowerment from leadership to act effectively.

Avery Johnstone, Global Decarbonization Hub Manager & Global Chair, Leaders 2050, KPMG International, stressed the urgency: “Young professionals stand to inherent the responsibility and capital allocation power needed to reach net zero as they ascend to leadership roles in these next pivotal years. They are an untapped resource who understand the wants and needs of their generation with a systems-level approach and understanding of the global economy.”

ESG as a Career Decider

The report underscores the significance young professionals place on sustainability in their careers. Nearly half (48%) of respondents stated they would leave a job if their company did not demonstrate a strong commitment to climate and social impact, while 63% consider a company’s ESG credentials when choosing potential employers.

Barriers and Tools for Change

While cost of decarbonization (29%) was identified as the biggest challenge to meeting climate goals, a lack of will from senior leaders (26%) was a close second. The report also found that just 49% of respondents believe their organizations have fully embedded ESG principles into their strategies, and the same percentage described their ESG impact as average compared to industry peers.

Communication and transparency were highlighted as critical for trust-building and engagement, with 57% citing learning and development opportunities as essential tools, followed by technology and digital tools (43%) and external networking opportunities (40%).

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Johnstone noted the importance of collaboration: “They [young professionals] expect companies to demonstrate that their ESG commitments are being met with responsibility and tangible action. Business leaders need to find strategies that nurture their talent and create safe and inclusive spaces for intergenerational dialogue that allows the younger workforce to learn from senior leadership, acknowledges their voices, and empowers their passion.”

The Risk of Ignoring Young Voices

The report concludes that failing to empower young professionals can lead to higher employee turnover, loss of staff confidence, credibility issues, and reputational risks. By involving young voices in decision-making and ESG strategies, organizations can benefit from innovative and diverse perspectives that contribute to sustainable long-term solutions.

To enter the Leaders 2050 digital report experience, visit: KPMG Virtual Tour | Explore in 360°