77% of Ukrainian Companies Need Tools to Implement ESG Standards: Results of the Green Transition Office Study
A study conducted by the Green Transition Office among representatives of Ukrainian companies from various economic sectors revealed a paradoxical situation: nearly three-quarters of Ukrainian enterprises consider themselves sustainable, yet only one in six companies truly understands what this means.
The study results demonstrate another interesting phenomenon – although only a small percentage of companies (approximately 7-9%) are well-informed about international ESG standards, the majority of Ukrainian businesses (over 87%) support their implementation. This indicates a high level of openness to change, despite limited knowledge in this field.
“We found that the main obstacle to ESG implementation is not resistance or lack of interest from businesses, but rather the absence of practical knowledge and tools. Additionally, we determined that 77% of Ukrainian companies consider the shortage of qualified personnel and insufficient competence of existing employees to be the greatest barrier to implementing ESG approaches”, emphasized Oleksiy Yatsyuk, ESG expert at the Green Transition Office, during the presentation of the study.
Main Barriers to ESG Transformation
The study identified a complex of interconnected challenges hindering ESG transformation in Ukraine. Three-quarters of surveyed companies cite insufficient clarity of legislation – both Ukrainian and European – as one of the key barriers. At the same time, almost as many respondents (77%) point to the lack of qualified personnel as a significant obstacle.
Approximately 71% of companies complain about the lack of accessible information regarding the implementation of standards and ESG reporting procedures. Technological aspects also create considerable difficulties: more than two-thirds (68%) of companies acknowledge problems with collecting and processing large data sets, while 65% are concerned about the need to use specialized software.
Need for Systemic Changes
Implementing ESG standards requires not only technical solutions but also profound structural changes. The study showed that almost two-thirds (63%) of Ukrainian companies recognize the need for significant restructuring of business processes for successful ESG transformation. Meanwhile, about 67% of respondents are concerned about potential additional costs for maintaining appropriate reporting.
These results indicate that ESG transformation requires a comprehensive review of operational models, supply chains, production processes, and decision-making systems within companies. This points to the necessity of a strategic approach to implementing ESG practices, rather than merely “cosmetic” changes in business activities.
Readiness of Ukrainian Business for Change
Despite the identified gaps, Ukrainian businesses demonstrate an impressive level of readiness for transformation. The majority of respondents (87%) have a positive attitude toward implementing ESG standards, and nearly half (44%) declare their readiness to submit relevant reports in the first year after such regulations are introduced.
Ukrainian companies also demonstrate an understanding of the key elements for successful transformation. About 89% are confident that employee training will significantly improve their readiness for ESG challenges. In parallel, 87% expect that implementing digital solutions will considerably simplify the reporting process. It is important to note that 86% support the idea of gradual standard implementation with a possible transition period, which indicates a pragmatic approach to transformation.
Recommendations for Stakeholders
Based on the study results, the Green Transition Office has developed a series of practical recommendations. Businesses are advised to actively invest in personnel training, create effective systems for data collection and analysis, and integrate sustainable development principles into their corporate strategy in advance. This approach will help companies not only formally meet requirements but also gain competitive advantages in the market.
Experts recommend that government bodies review the deadlines for mandatory implementation of ESG reporting in light of the identified challenges, develop supportive digital infrastructure, and encourage the creation of quality professional training programs. Special attention should be paid to harmonizing Ukrainian legislation with European requirements to provide companies with clear guidelines for transformation.
About the study: Conducted by InfoSapiens in January-February 2025 among small, medium, and large enterprises in Ukraine (11+ employees, turnover from 40 million UAH). Methodology: 420 telephone interviews, 20 in-depth interviews with large businesses, and 4 focus groups with SME representatives. Respondents were owners, managers, and individuals responsible for sustainable development projects.
Presentation materials of the study can be viewed on the official website of the Green Transition Office at the link
About the study: Conducted by InfoSapiens in January-February 2025 among small, medium, and large enterprises in Ukraine (11+ employees, turnover from 40 million UAH). Methodology: 420 telephone interviews, 20 in-depth interviews with large businesses, and 4 focus groups with SME representatives. Respondents were owners, managers, and individuals responsible for sustainable development projects.
The presentation of the research agency can be viewed here
The Green Transition Office is an independent advisory body to the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, which helps implement reforms in the field of green transition, energy, and climate policy of Ukraine. The Green Transition Office operates with financial support from the British International Development Agency and is implemented by NGO “DIXI GROUP.”
The study was carried out within the framework of a project supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented under the Private Sector Development Program of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl).
