The CSO at a Crossroads, a BSR report, highlights the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) as they face new pressures and opportunities. CSOs have transitioned from entrepreneurial pioneers to integrated leaders within corporate governance, but their growing responsibilities are shifting their focus from innovation to compliance.

Key Impact Points:

• 83% of CSOs report that collaboration with other C-Suite leaders is essential for achieving ambitious sustainability objectives.
• 64% of CSOs believe regulation enables meaningful strategic impact.
• 50% of CSOs spend the majority of their time on “high-impact” work, highlighting the need for more strategic focus.

Increased Collaboration with C-Suite Leaders

The report reveals that 83% of CSOs believe collaboration with other C-Suite leaders helps push sustainability objectives forward. This growing teamwork across leadership roles is crucial for advancing ambitious sustainability goals and aligning them with core business functions.

“We’ve been able to move sustainability from the periphery into more of an enabler for long-term growth,” noted one CSO, emphasizing the importance of executive collaboration in driving progress.

Related Article: Navigating Sustainability: The Role of CSOs and Their Impact

Compliance vs. Innovation: The New Dilemma

Despite the progress, CSOs face a growing challenge: balancing regulatory compliance with the need for strategic foresight and innovation. Only 50% of CSOs spend most of their time on high-impact activities, as increasing compliance requirements consume more of their attention.

“There’s more compliance, and we’re busier and busier on reporting,” shared one respondent, reflecting on how these new demands can sideline long-term innovation.

The Three Paths for CSOs

According to the report, CSOs are at a crossroads and may take one of three paths:

1. The Steady Manager: Focuses on compliance and risk management, making incremental improvements.
2. The Integrated Strategist: Embeds sustainability into corporate strategy, leveraging it for business growth.
3. The Transformative Change Agent: Uses sustainability to reorient the company’s business model, focusing on innovation and long-term resilience.

Each path reflects different ways to manage the increasing pressures and opportunities CSOs face in their evolving roles.

To explore these insights in detail, access the full report here.