The Paris Agreement, renewables, the SDGs and human rights all expected to be impacted
26 June 2017 – In a recent survey, GlobeScan and SustainAbility asked over 500 sustainability professionals in 74 countries (between 22 November 2016 and 9 January 2017) how they expected Donald Trump’s election as US President to affect the international sustainability agenda.
Over eight in ten (82%) of the experts surveyed thought that the election of Trump would have a negative impact on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This expectation was realized earlier this month when President Trump announced that the US would be pulling out of the Paris Agreement, sending a strong signal to the rest of the world that the US government does not prioritize action on climate change.
Eighty-one percent of experts surveyed also thought that the expansion of renewables would be negatively impacted and 74 percent said that the Trump Administration would encourage little progress towards achieving the SDGs. Expectations for progress on global human rights was also viewed as negative by experts at 73 percent. In a more positive light, fewer experts (53%) think that President Trump can negatively influence the sustainability commitments of multinational companies.
Eric Whan, Director at GlobeScan, commented: “Our experts predicted Trump’s impact on the Paris Agreement. But the response of business, cities, state governments and NGOs has been encouraging, with the #WeAReStillIn movement countering Trump’s regressive actions. We might expect a similar response to potential administration moves around energy transition, the SDGs and human rights.”
For more information, please contact:
- Stacy Rowland, GlobeScan: stacy.rowland@globescan.com, +1 416-992-2705
- Aiste Brackley, SustainAbility: brackley@sustainability.com, +1 415-217-9012
About SustainAbility
SustainAbility is a think tank and consultancy that for over 25 years has catalyzed and supported business leadership on sustainability. Through our agenda-setting research and advocacy, we chart new territory and help business leaders and their stakeholders understand what’s next. Through our advisory services, we help clients understand the shifting landscape of risk and opportunity, develop practical strategies and initiatives, and foster authentic, impactful engagement and collaboration with a range of stakeholders.
Learn more at www.SustainAbility.com
