As we come to the end of the year, we close out 2019 with a review of our ten most widely read posts of the year. The GlobeScan community gravitated toward our contributions on the Sustainable Development Goals, corporate purpose, transparency, wildlife conservation, sustainable lifestyles, and leadership.
We enter the next decade with an energized sense of living our purpose of building trusted leadership to create a better future. We look forward to working together in 2020 to help build a more sustainable and equitable world.
Wishing you Happy Holidays!
Healthy & Sustainable Living
A consortium of leading organizations including IKEA, P&G, PepsiCo, VF Corporation, Visa, WWF International and others joined GlobeScan in 2019 to launch a new global consumer insights initiative on the topic of Healthy and Sustainable Living. The study surveyed 25,000 consumers across 25 countries to explore current understanding, concerns, expectations and opportunities to enable healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. We are already planning our 2020 research program, building on the exciting insights we have collectively uncovered. We are gearing up to do more custom research and advisory work for our clients in this emerging area of consumer engagement.
Corporate Action on the SDGs
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the sustainability reporting standard setter, and Enel, a global power company, partnered with GlobeScan to explore how the private sector can actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first online Forum held in October 2019 explored the current state of play on the role of reporting and partnerships to drive corporate change in accomplishing the SDGs. Key stakeholders from academia, business, policy and NGOs from 56 countries joined us for the discussion. This summary report shares the learnings from the discussion and identifies key challenges and initial priorities for action.
The 2019 BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Survey
The 11th Annual BSR / GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Survey identifies the sustainability issues that companies are most focused on today. This survey provides insight into the world of sustainable business and identifies common perceptions and practices of corporate sustainability professionals. Climate change and investor priorities rise to the surface in 2019. Our 12th annual survey with our colleagues at BSR will be launched later in 2020.
The 2019 GlobeScan-SustainAbility Leaders Survey
The GlobeScan-SustainAbility Leaders Survey has tracked expert opinions from 80+ countries on sustainable development leadership for over 20 years. Our 2019 results find that while Unilever remains best regarded for the eighth consecutive year, Patagonia, IKEA, Natura and Danone have all gained ground. We are looking forward to our next study with our friends at SustainAbility in 2020.
Consumers See Fairtrade as Reflection of Their Personal Values
GlobeScan and Fairtrade International’s latest multi-country survey finds that a majority of shoppers are familiar with the Fairtrade Mark and believe it reflects their personal values. Consumers have trust in the Fairtrade Mark and closely associate it with providing fair prices, a living income and helping farmers to escape from poverty – attributes which are all crucial to building trust.
Evaluating Progress on the SDGs
In 2017, GlobeScan and SustainAbility first polled our panel of sustainability experts asking them to evaluate progress made toward the SDGs. We followed up by publishing new results in early 2019. Life Below Water (Goal 14), Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), Life on Land (Goal 15) and No Poverty (Goal 1) are called out for a lack of progress. Our 2020 consultation will establish our third data point as we enter the 10-year countdown to 2030.
Building Trust: Why Transparency Must Be Part of the Equation
Society’s standards for corporate transparency are rapidly evolving. The exponential pace of technological development and diffusion is recasting the way we communicate and receive information. Increasingly empowered stakeholders of all types are demanding different behaviors and performance from business. Expectations for transparency are intensifying at the same time as the intangible value of brands and their reputations grow ever larger but also more fragile. With insights from global thought leaders, we partnered with SC Johnson to author Building Trust: Why Transparency Must Be Part of the Equation.
From Good Governance to Purpose & Profit: Fink’s Letter
Since 2012, Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Investments, has sent out an annual letter to CEOs of the companies that BlackRock invests in on behalf of its clients. We analyzed the content and impact of these letters over the past seven years to help better understand the shifting expectations for business and the extent to which purpose, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement are becoming more mainstream aspects of management. We will be looking to build on this with Mr. Fink’s 2020 letter and its implications for ESG.
Chinese Consumer Demand for Ivory Remains Down Two Years After Ban
WWF and GlobeScan have conducted the largest consumer survey about the ivory trade in China – 2,000 people in 15 cities – for three consecutive years, providing the most comprehensive assessment available measuring changes in attitudes, purchasing and ban awareness over time. This is part of a growing practice area at GlobeScan, in collaboration with a range of leading NGOs and academics, that is helping to bend the demand curve for endangered wildlife around the world. Learn about the complex dynamics of consumer behavior, social status, regulation, advocacy and conservation here.
GlobeScan Dialogues: Recognizing Leaders
GlobeScan regularly interviews executives from influential organizations around the world about the strategies and decisions that help make them good leaders – both personally in their field, and within the organizations they work for. These are fascinating interviews that help bring to life examples of inspirational leadership and how these individuals are making a difference within their organizations. Below are our top Leadership interviews from 2019:
- Candace Laing, VP Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations, Nutrien
- Stephan Krinke, Head of Sustainability Strategy and Programs, Volkswagen Group
- Anik Michaud, Group Director Corporate Relations, Anglo American
- Janice Lao, Director, Group Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH)
- Andrea Barrack, Global Head, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group
