Across 11 countries surveyed, the public sees environmental NGOs as the strongest performers when it comes to protecting nature and wildlife. Indigenous Peoples are also considered to be performing better than most other actors despite being held the least responsible. In contrast, large companies and governments are perceived to be doing the worst while also being seen as having the most responsibility for protecting nature. *“Very good” and “Good” minus “Poor” and “Very poor” **Includes Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, … “Insight of the Week: Environmental NGOs and Indigenous Peoples Are Seen as Strongest Performers on Protecting Nature”
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Experts say that engaging and collaborating with stakeholders continues to be the main driver for recognized NGO leadership in sustainable development. Innovation and knowledge as well as the scale and reach of initiatives are also seen by experts as important characteristics of NGO sustainability leadership, followed by engaging in activism and advocacy, good communication and reporting, and demonstrating tangible results. Source: GlobeScan/SustainAbility Survey of over 700 experts representing business, government, NGOs, and academia across 73 countries
In the wake of the pandemic, people have become increasingly keen on improving their own health and wellbeing, with an increase in the global proportion who “strongly agree” that they are doing this (from 37% in 2019 to 42% in 2022). There have been large increases in the number of people saying they are trying to improve their health in several major markets including Brazil, China, India, Japan, USA, and UK. *For consistent tracking, this chart includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, … “Insight of the Week: People around the World Are Increasingly Focused on Improving Their Health and Wellbeing”
Across the 31 countries surveyed, nearly half of people (47%) at least somewhat agree that environmental problems are negatively affecting their health. People in the Global South are experiencing the highest rates of negative health impacts from environmental issues, particularly in Egypt and India where air pollution is often severe in urban areas. Globally, people living in cities and those under 30 years old are particularly likely to “strongly agree” that their health has been negatively affected by environmental issues. … “Insight of the Week: People in Egypt and India Report Highest Rates of Negative Health Impacts from Environmental Issues”
People around the world experience varying degrees of water shortages, with those in Latin American countries surveyed most likely to feel “greatly affected.” In contrast, around two in ten people in North America and fewer than one in ten in Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands say they are greatly affected by a lack of fresh water. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in June ‒ July 2022)
Fifty-eight percent of people globally believe that shortages of fresh water is a “very serious” issue. Mexicans, Colombians, and Brazilians report the most concern about access to water, while people in Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea are the least likely to say so. Concern has increased since 2021 in several of the most concerned countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Italy, and France. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Younger generations – particularly Gen Z – express the strongest concern about the unequal treatment of women. More than half of Gen Z believe that the issue is “very serious” compared to four in ten Baby Boomers+. As younger generations rise, we can expect to continue to see increasing pressure for equal treatment of women across the world. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Insight of the Week: Patagonia Is Most Recognized by Experts for Its Leadership on Nature Protection
Nearly three in ten sustainability experts consider Patagonia to be a leader when it comes to protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity. Across a range of sectors and regions, experts also recognize Unilever, Natura, IKEA, Danone, and Tesla as leaders in nature protection. The most cited reasons given for corporate leadership on protecting nature are actively preserving and restoring habitats, having nature as part of the company’s identity and strategy, and having a positive and tangible impact. Source: GlobeScan Navigating … “Insight of the Week: Patagonia Is Most Recognized by Experts for Its Leadership on Nature Protection”
Millennials and Gen Z around the world are more likely than Gen X and Baby Boomers+ to say extreme poverty is “very serious.” Along with younger people, those with low incomes and people living in rural areas are also more concerned about the issue than those with higher incomes and those living in urban or suburban areas. Regionally, Latin Americans surveyed express the most concern about extreme poverty, whereas people in Asia and North America tend to be much less … “Insight of the Week: Younger Generations Are Most Concerned about Extreme Poverty”
Consumers in the African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American markets surveyed are significantly more likely than those in Europe and North America to say that social media influences them to become more environmentally friendly. Looking at age groups, the younger people are, the more likely they are to claim that social media influences their behavior in this area. Note for country list: Africa / Middle East markets include Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa; Latin America markets include Argentina, Brazil, … “Insight of the Week: Social Media Is More Likely to Influence Consumers in Emerging Markets to Live Sustainably”
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In the G7 economies, around eight in ten Gen Z and Millennial shareholders view economic inequality as a significant investment risk. Older generations are somewhat less likely to share this concern, although nearly two-thirds of Baby Boomers and older also agree. Concern about the impact of economic inequality on investments is strong in all the G7 markets, with just over seven in ten shareholders on average agreeing that the issue poses a significant investment risk. Source: GlobeScan Radar report (survey of 29,293 people in … “Insight of the Week: Eight in Ten Young Shareholders Say Economic Inequality Is a Major Investment Risk “
Nine in ten corporate employees say their motivation and loyalty grows as their employer becomes more socially or environmentally responsible. Younger people working for large companies are more likely than those over 30 to “strongly” agree, suggesting corporate sustainability will become increasingly important for attracting and retaining employees. Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
People in Africa and in Latin America are most supportive of companies advocating for democracy, where seven in ten agree that companies should actively promote democracy. In contrast, just over half of North Americans agree. This could suggest higher interest in corporate advocacy from citizens in emerging markets, particularly around models that work to create more equitable societies. Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Nearly two-thirds of people in countries surveyed in Africa / Middle East and Asia-Pacific are optimistic that future generations will enjoy a higher quality of life than they do today. In contrast, only one in three Europeans and four in ten Latin Americans and North Americans are optimistic about higher quality of life for their children and grandchildren. Source: GlobeScan Radar Trends Report (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Around the world, younger generations are much more likely than older ones to feel guilty about their negative impact on the environment. This highlights a significant generational gap among consumers and suggests that younger and rising generations may have higher expectations of brands to help reduce impacts on the environment. Source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Consumer Research (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Eight in ten experts believe that increasing renewable energy is an effective potential solution to address climate change. Other solutions that are rated as relatively effective are sustainable agriculture and food system solutions, reducing deforestation, and circular business models. Increasing renewable energy is also thought by experts to be one of the most easily implemented climate solutions. Source: GlobeScan/SustainAbility Institute by ERM Survey of over 200 experts representing business, government, NGOs, service/media, and academiaacross 41 countries
National governments and large companies are seen by the public to be the most responsible for protecting nature, while only four in ten people hold themselves responsible. There are clear expectations from the public for governments to drive global governance processes for protecting nature, such as COP15 in Montreal, as well as through national legislation. Source: GlobeScan Navigating the Nature Agenda survey of 11,000 consumers in 11 countries between February 25 – March 15, 2022
When considering the urgency of all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), experts rate Climate Action as the most urgent goal. The top five most urgent SDGs are Climate Action, Zero Hunger, No Poverty, Reduced Inequalities, and Affordable and Clean Energy. However, many experts rate progress on the SDGs as poor and find that progress on many critical issues is still too slow. Source: GlobeScan/SustainAbility Institute by ERM Survey of over 200 experts representing business, government, NGOs, service/media, and academia across 41 countries
Among those who have seen sustainability messaging from brands, strong majorities across the world trust their sustainability marketing communications. While there are valid criticisms of greenwashing by policy makers and NGOs, consumers broadly continue to trust sustainability messaging. Source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Consumer Research (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Insight of the Week: Younger Consumers Are More Likely to Recall Brand Sustainability Communications
People under 30 are much more likely than older consumers to recall brand communications on the environment. Younger generations are more receptive to messages from companies than older consumers. As expectations evolve, brands need to understand the expectations of Gen Z and Millennials. Source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Consumer Research (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
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Three-quarters of people around the world say that wealthy countries should help poorer nations deal with the effects of climate change. This suggests strong public support for a just transition and echoes a main theme of COP27 around the obligation of wealthier countries that have benefitted the most from industrialization to provide financing to help poorer countries that suffer the most from the impacts of climate change. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2022 (survey of 21,979 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
More than half of people across the world believe that sustainable lifestyles will be commonplace in the next decade, while fewer than two in ten say it will not happen and around a quarter remain unsure. Those who are optimistic about sustainable lifestyles in the future are much more likely to state a strong desire to live sustainably and to have already made major changes to their lifestyle. Source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Consumer Research (survey of 29,293 people … “Insight of the Week: More than Half of Consumers Say That Sustainable Lifestyles Are Likely in the Next Decade”
In every product category, consumers say that environmentally responsible alternatives are priced at a premium. Price remains a significant barrier to wider purchase and use of environmentally friendly alternatives. To be the easy choice for consumers, sustainable products need to be properly valued (price, quality, benefits). Source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Consumer Research (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Compared to 2021, people are feeling more positive about how disruption from the pandemic has affected aspects of life. Half of respondents in 30 countries cite an improved relationship with nature. Many also feel a stronger sense of community, improved mental health and wellbeing, and an improvement in their finances. Source: GlobeScan Poll on Wellbeing through the Pandemic, Commissioned by BBC World Service (survey of 29,293 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)