ESG: What to expect in 2026?

We can’t predict the future 🔮 

But based on what we know about the world of ESG, 2026 will be an eventful year. 

One thing for certain; we’re still here to help you make sense of the chaos 💚 

Scroll down to see our expectations to this year.

ESG is still worth it

Companies that stay focused on real, measurable ESG progress (not just pretty words) will continue to grow. 

Political headwinds may come and go, but solid sustainability work? That still pays off 💸 

AI is getting a seat at the ESG table

AI is here to stay, and we’ve seen many new AI tools in 2025, all to make our ESG work easier: cleaner data, better decisions, and increased transparency. Your spreadsheets might finally get a break. 

With even more tools likely to come our way next year, ethical considerations will surely also be a part of the discussion, and responsible AI use could easily become part of “good governance.” 

In practice, that might mean having policies and internal use guidelines in place as well as receiving AI training 🤖 

Less legislation = back to basics

With the EU simplifying and rolling back parts of the ESG framework, 2026 will feel a bit like we’re returning to the fundamentals. 

Think of it like housekeeping: if you keep your ESG basics tidy (policies, processes, data, documentation), everything else becomes much easier. 

Ignore it, and suddenly you’re fighting a decade’s worth of dust bunnies 🧹 

That being said, we must not forget the legislation that is still on its way, such as the Ecodesign Regulation and its Digital Product Passport. 

We're looking forward to (hopefully 🤞) more information about this in 2026. 

Money talks

The financial sector will especially be a key ESG motivator.

Because if you want access to capital, expect ESG factors to be part of the conversation.

Greenwashing is (still) a no-go

The Empowering Consumers Directive goes into effect in September, meaning even more focus on greenwashing. 

Luckily, the new rules are very similar to existing rules in Denmark, so if you’re on top of those, you’ll be fine. 

And reporting? Yep, still here.

With the Omnibus, we’re not talking CSRD-level, but VSME reporting will likely gain traction in 2026. 

Even in the US, ESG reporting has been increasing over the last few years. 

All in all, 2026 is the year of clarity, credibility, and clean ESG housekeeping. 

We can't wait. 🌱✨