How ESG communications can set you apart in the engineering sector

Today, clients, investors and employees are increasingly considering Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors when deciding where to spend, invest and work, often preferring businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, ethics and responsible business practices.

Authentic and transparent ESG communications have become a critical driver for engineering firms – not just to meet compliance obligations but to build long term trust, attract the right talent and position the firm for sustainable growth. However, our recent research, The Transform Report: Engineering Firms Reputation Index 2025 reveals widespread inconsistencies in how engineering firms are publicly communicating their ESG efforts. Many are missing a clear opportunity to build trust, strengthen stakeholder relationships and stand out in a competitive market by effectively articulating their ESG story.

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Failing to communicate ESG could pose a business risk

ESG is becoming a core part of decision-making across the sector. Public bodies are required to consider ESG as part of their procurement process and many leading private sector clients in infrastructure, construction and manufacturing have adopted ESG-focused evaluation criteria, as well as frameworks aligned with sustainable procurement. This means firms without effective ESG communications risk being disqualified from tenders or losing out to competitors who communicate a stronger ESG narrative.

Beyond procurement, ESG communications are a powerful reputation management tool. With growing public scrutiny, media interest and stakeholder expectations, how a firm presents its values, culture and impact can directly influence brand perception. It’s also a powerful lever for talent attraction and retention, particularly among early-career and graduate engineers who are actively seeking out employers with clear ESG values and a demonstrated culture of responsibility and transparency. With the engineering skills gap looming, being able to communicate your purpose can give you a competitive edge.

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Avoid green hushing

All ESG communications should start with action.But this is only half the story – you also need to talk about what you’re doing, and why. You’ve heard of greenwashing, but have you heard of green hushing? Green hushing is the practice of deliberately not publicising or promoting sustainability efforts – often stemming from a fear of backlash, regulatory scrutiny or reluctance to share efforts until substantial progress has been made. While the intention might be caution, in reality, green hushing is more damaging than good – valuable work goes unnoticed leading to missed visibility, weakened positioning and a loss of trust. Stakeholders may assume alack of communication means lack of activity when in reality, your firm is making meaningful progress.

If you’re taking action, talk about it. And if you’re still on the journey, that’s okay too. Honesty about challenges and progress builds credibility. Without authentic ESG communication, even meaningful efforts remain invisible to stakeholders. Poor or absent communication can result in reputational risk, missed business opportunities, reduced engagement and potential non-compliance or scrutiny in regulated environments.

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Tips for successful ESG communication for engineering firms

·       Align messaging with key issues that matter most to your firm and key stakeholders.

·       Backup all claims with data, evidence and KPIs.

·       Use visuals – images, charts, graphs – to help to break up dense blocks of text and improve readability of documents, for better engagement.

·       Embed ESG into all channels of communications – your website, social media and internal comms to help drive talent attraction and employee retention.

·       Use case studies and project outcomes to showcase ESG in action.

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Now is the time to put ESG at the heart of your communications strategy

In a world where ESG is becoming increasingly polarising, now is the time to speak up. And in the engineering sector, not doing so can have a direct impact on reputation, recruitment and procurement. Firms that effectively communicate their values and actions are more likely to build trust, drive sustainable business growth and lead the industry towards growth.

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We can help you craft an ESG communications strategy that is credible, engaging and aligned with your brand. Get in touch– we’re always up for a chat.

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