ESG concept imageA mere five years ago, a global survey of M&A dealmakers found less than one-third rated environmental, social and governance (ESG) due diligence as a "very important/important" consideration in their transactions. Two-thirds of respondents described as merely "moderately important."

Fast forward to 2020.

Last year, 86% of the more than 2,000 global respondents called it "very important/important"—an astounding 55% increase, according to polling by Datasite, a leading provider of virtual data rooms for such deals.