Key Impact Points:
- 87% of Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) say they’re spending more time on regulation, with 60% calling it their top challenge.
- The CSO Hub offers curated research, tools, and expert interviews to support sustainability executives navigating today’s complex landscape.
- Weinreb Group’s 2025 CSO Report highlights how the role is evolving to prioritize legal alignment, business integration, and resilience in the face of politicization.
A New Resource for CSOs
The Weinreb Group has launched the CSO Hub, a new centralized platform for Chief Sustainability Officers, curating cutting-edge insights, research, and strategic guidance tailored to current and aspiring sustainability leaders.
“The CSO Hub is your one-stop shop for expert advice and the latest sustainability trends,” said Ellen Weinreb, founder of the Weinreb Group. “We’ve created this resource to empower CSOs to lead effectively in an era of growing scrutiny and regulation.”
Informed by the 2025 CSO Report
The Hub builds on findings from the 2025 Chief Sustainability Officer Report, also released by the Weinreb Group, which captures insights from CSOs at U.S. public companies. This year’s theme: “Staying the Course in an Era of Increased Regulation and Political Volatility.”
Among the report’s standout findings:
- Regulation is king: 87% of CSOs are dedicating more time to compliance, and the number reporting into legal departments has doubled since 2023.
- Political pressure is growing: 31% identified increased politicization—such as anti-ESG campaigns and legislation—as a major shift in their role, yet 90% remain committed to their sustainability missions.
- Leadership support is holding strong: 91% report steady or increased executive alignment on sustainability, despite external headwinds.
Evolving Responsibilities and Representation
The report also spotlights shifting demographics and priorities:
- The percentage of women CSOs continues to grow, reaching 65%.
- However, the share of CSOs of color has dropped 6 points since its 2023 peak.
- The role itself is expanding—many CSOs are now driving business value through sustainability-aligned commercial strategies and P&L accountability.
“Sustainability is heading to a place where it becomes a revenue driver,” said Sophia Lenora Mendelsohn, Chief Sustainability and Commercial Officer at SAP. “Now we are owning our own P&L and contributing to our colleagues’ P&Ls.”
Tools for Strategic Leadership
The CSO Hub features curated content such as:
- Legal and regulatory updates
- Interviews with veteran CSOs
- Tips on aligning sustainability with business strategy
- Data on scope 3 emissions, DEI trends, and more
CSOs like Katy Motiey of Extreme Networks emphasize the value of legal integration: “With increased regulations and compliance comes greater risk, and being able to view these risks through a legal lens is very helpful.”
Preparing for the Future
Looking ahead to the next report in 2027, the Weinreb Group is already asking critical questions: Will compliance dominate, or will creativity and long-term vision still thrive? The CSO Hub is designed to ensure CSOs stay equipped, no matter the direction the field takes.
Explore the CSO Hub here: weinrebgroup.com/cso-hub
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