2026 State of ESG: Insights from the frontlines of private markets

Malk Partners’ (part of SLR) 2026 State of ESG Report captures how ESG practices are evolving across private equity, private credit, venture capital, real estate, and infrastructure. Based on survey responses from 80 General Partners (GPs) representing $17.2T in AUM, 18 Limited Partners (LPs), and 114 sponsor-backed portfolio companies, this fourth annual report provides a nuanced, data-driven view into how investors and companies are navigating a rapidly shifting ESG landscape.

Key findings reveal that private market investors are driving ESG ambition, but portfolio companies lack guidance to turn this ambition into actionable value.

Together, these perspectives reveal a critical truth about where ESG stands today – and what’s needed to move it forward.