Key takeaways
- Strong public support exists for CEO leadership on climate and DEI – 71% of Americans want CEOs to speak out on climate change, and 67% on DEI.
- Support cuts across political and generational lines, including at least half of Republicans and older generations, not just Democrats or Gen Z.
- In a noisy political climate, values-based leadership still matters – public expectations of business remain steady, even when politics shift.
In our four decades of work, we have rarely seen such widespread uncertainty and instability in the operating environment – a reality that many professionals are faced with today. In boardrooms around the world, leaders are asking: what’s truly changed, and what remains constant? To help answer that question, we conducted a flash poll of 1,004 US citizens from March 25th to 28th, 2025, updating key public opinion and consumer trends last measured in the summer of 2024.
We found that despite political backlash against sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the American public continues to expect principled leadership from business. A clear majority – 71 percent – say CEOs should speak out about the importance of addressing climate change, and 67 percent say CEOs should publicly defend DEI initiatives. This support is broad-based: 56 percent of Republicans agree that CEOs should speak out on climate, while 50 percent support defending DEI. Democrats (83%) and Gen Z (78%) are the strongest supporters of CEOs speaking out on DEI initiatives, but a majority of Baby Boomers+ (56%) also back CEO leadership on this issue.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
In today’s volatile environment, the temptation may be to stay silent or respond reactively to political pressure. But this is no time for CEO-hushing. Americans want something different: they want CEOs to speak up on issues that are at the core of their company’s values and are relevant to their mission and stakeholders. Courageous leadership doesn’t mean weighing in on every controversy; it means recognizing when an issue is critical to your identity and your business, defining non-negotiables, drawing red lines, and stepping forward with clarity and conviction.
For a timely snapshot of how American views on sustainability may be shifting – and just as importantly, where they remain steady – please read our new report: Sustainability in the USA: What Consumers Think and Expect in 2025. As companies navigate increasingly complex expectations, these insights offer a valuable guide to what truly matters to the American public today.
Survey Question: For each of the following statements, please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree. – CEOs should speak out about the importance of addressing climate change. – CEOs should speak out about the importance of making progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Source: GlobeScan Sustainability in the USA: What Consumers Think and Expect in 2025 report (survey of 1,004 Americans in the general public, March 25th ‒ 28th, 2025)
