Worries About Water Strongest in the South Seriousness of Water Shortages, “Very Serious,” by Country, 2020 Although people in all 27 markets surveyed tend to be at least somewhat concerned about fresh water shortages, these concerns are much more intense among those living in Southern Europe, Latin America, and Africa and the Middle East. In contrast, Asian respondents tend to be the least worried about a lack of fresh water. Strong concern about water cuts across all demographic groups, with … “Insight of the Week: Worries About Water Strongest in the South”
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Corporate Responsibility is Highly Motivating for Employees The More Responsible My Company Is, the More Motivated I Am, “Strongly Agree” and “Somewhat Agree,” Average of 19 Countries,* 2002–2020, Subsample: Corporate Employees** More than ever, corporate responsibility is having an impact on employees’ motivation and loyalty. For employees at large companies, over nine in ten say they feel more motivated and more loyal because of their employers’ efforts to be socially and environmentally responsible. This is especially high among: Younger generations Those with … “Insight of the Week: Corporate Responsibility is Highly Motivating for Employees”
One in Seven in Gen Z Have Protested to Make a Difference Protested Publicly to Make a Difference on Issues By Generation, Average of 27 Countries, 2020 Issues engagement and demographics both suggest that we are increasingly moving into an age of activism, where younger generations are more likely to use their voices to affect change. Fifteen percent of those belonging to Gen Z say they have protested publicly at events and rallies in the past year to make a … “Insight of the Week: One in Seven in Gen Z Have Protested to Make a Difference”
Women Are Significantly More Likely Than Men to Use Their Buying Power to Make a Difference Changed Purchase Choices to Make a Difference on Issues By Gender, Average of 27 Countries, 2020 GlobeScan’s data consistently show that women are more concerned about social and environmental issues and are more likely to use their power as consumers to address these concerns. Data show that females are significantly more likely than males to say they have changed their purchasing choices in … “Insight of the Week: Women Are Significantly More Likely Than Men to Use Their Buying Power to Make a Difference”
Most View Biodiversity Loss as Very Serious Seriousness of Biodiversity Loss, Average of 27 Countries, 2020 More than half across 27 markets believe loss of biodiversity is “very serious.” The perceived seriousness of biodiversity loss is higher in Latin America and Europe, while much lower in Asia-Pacific. There is a clear trend of younger generations believing that the problem of losing species is more serious compared to older generations. Notes: Question wording: For each of the following possible global problems, … “Insight of the Week: Most View Biodiversity Loss as Very Serious”
Significant Opportunities for Plant-Based Alternatives to Real Meat, Especially in Asia and Latin America Preference for Meat vs Plant-based by Country, 2020 (Subsample: Meat eaters, representing 91% of the global population) Most meat-eaters globally prefer real meat to alternatives made from plants if price and taste remained equal (59% vs 41%). In seven out of the 27 countries surveyed, majorities say they would prefer plant-based to real meat, including in Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam. Younger consumers … “Insight of the Week: Significant Opportunities for Plant-Based Alternatives to Real Meat, Especially in Asia and Latin America”
Experts’ Perceptions of Business Performance on Sustainable Development Are Trending Down Performance on Contribution to Sustainable Development % of Experts, “Excellent” (4+5), 2012–2020 Expert perceptions of the private sector’s contribution to sustainable development have dropped after peaking in 2018, placing business among the lowest-rated institutions but ahead of national governments. Meanwhile, positive expert assessment of citizen-led movements has strengthened over the past two years. NGOs continue to be the most positively viewed by sustainability professionals in terms of their work … “Insight of the Week: Experts’ Perceptions of Business Performance on Sustainable Development Are Trending Down”
Consumers Believe That Affordability of Responsible Products and Services Is Key Preferred Company Actions to Help People and the Environment, Average of 27 Countries, 2020 When asked what companies can do to enable healthy and sustainable living, consumers globally prioritize ensuring affordable yet responsible products. This is consistent across almost all 27 markets surveyed and across all generations, highlighting how pivotal affordability is for consumers to be able to change their behavior at scale. Notes: Question wording: What are the … “Insight of the Week: Consumers Believe That Affordability of Responsible Products and Services Is Key”
Economic Inequality Is Seen as a Bigger Investment Risk Than Climate Change Shareholder Views on Investment Risk, Agree (Somewhat and Strongly), Subsample: Shareholders, Average of 27 Countries (n=9,648), 2020 Strong majorities of retail investors – people in the general population who own shares directly or indirectly – believe that both economic inequality and climate change are significant risks for shareholders. Only in South Korea and Sweden are retail investors more worried about climate change than inequality, a surprising finding given … “Insight of the Week: Economic Inequality Is Seen as a Bigger Investment Risk Than Climate Change”
Urgency of Societal Challenges % of Experts, “Urgent” (4+5), 2011–2020 The perceived urgency of acting on climate change has been steadily increasing over the last decade among those surveyed in GlobeScan and SustainAbility’s survey of sustainability professionals, with 94 percent of respondents now saying that the challenge is “very urgent.” Climate, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and poverty have been consistently seen as the greatest social and environmental challenges facing the global community, but 2020 has also seen a dramatic rise … “Insight of the Week: Urgency of Societal Challenges”
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Seriousness of Climate Change “Very Serious” and “Somewhat Serious,” Average of 16 Countries* vs USA, 2015–2020 As the United States once again joins the Paris Agreement under President Biden’s new leadership, GlobeScan’s research shows that over the past five years, Americans’ worries about the climate have become increasingly aligned with the rest of the world. More than eight in ten Americans now say that climate change is a very or somewhat serious issue, with those under 30 years of age … “Insight of the Week: Seriousness of Climate Change”
Performance of Technology vs Social Media Sectors in Fulfilling Responsibilities to Society Net Performance,* Average 27 Countries, 2020 Technology and computer companies are viewed by the general public as performing better on fulfilling their responsibilities to society than social media companies, with people in 25 out of 27 countries rating technology companies higher (people in Kenya and Vietnam rate social media companies slightly higher). Perceptions of the two sectors differ the most in the UK, where people hold particularly negative … “Insight of the Week: Performance of Technology vs Social Media Sectors in Fulfilling Responsibilities to Society”
Seriousness of Social and Political Division in my Country “Very Serious,” by Country, 2020 There is great variability in public opinion across countries when it comes to concern about “social and political division in my country.” The perceived seriousness of societal polarization is especially acute in Nigeria, Brazil, Hong Kong, South Africa, the United States and Turkey. It is striking how little concern for domestic social and political division is expressed in China and Japan, as well as in Canada, … “Insight of the Week: Seriousness of Social and Political Division in my Country”
Have Been Inspired by Online Influencer or Celebrity to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle By Generation, Average of 27 Markets, 2020 Younger people look to influencers for inspiration to be environmentally friendly. Those belonging to younger generations are much more likely than older generations to say that they are frequently inspired by online influencers or celebrities promoting more sustainable lifestyles. On average across 27 markets surveyed in GlobeScan’s Healthy & Sustainable Living study, almost three-quarters (72%) of Gen Z respondents … “Insight of the Week: Have Been Inspired by Online Influencer or Celebrity to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle”
Most Important Priorities for Corporate Affairs Professionals 2020 Building trust and protecting reputation is a key priority. Crafting and/or delivering on a sustainability strategy through effective stakeholder engagement in order to protect reputation and build trust with stakeholders are three of the top four priorities of Corporate Affairs professionals. Being transparent about reporting on ESG goals completes the top four priorities. Although listed as individual priorities, all four revolve around trust building with stakeholders. Notes: Question wording: Could you name … “Insight of the Week: Most Important Priorities for Corporate Affairs Professionals”
Consumer Purchasing Behaviors: EU* vs USA “Extremely” and “Very Interested,” 2020 European and American consumers differ in their interest in sustainable shopping behavior. Europeans are more interested than Americans in some key sustainable consumption behaviors, including being keener on prioritizing durability, recycled materials, responsible brands, and third-party certification. Differences are largest in terms of third-party certifications, with fewer than half of US consumers expressing interest compared to nearly six in ten European consumers. Notes: * Includes: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, … “Insight of the Week: Consumer Purchasing Behaviors: EU vs USA”
Priority for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery Global Public Opinion, 2020 There is strong public support to build back better in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Majorities in 16 out of 27 markets surveyed say they would prefer to see a restructuring of the economy that addresses challenges like climate change and inequality, rather than simply getting the economy back to normal as soon as possible. Younger generations and those with higher education are more supportive of building back better, as … “Insight of the Week: Priority for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery”
Most Recognized NGO Sustainability Leaders % Experts, Total Mentions, Unprompted 2020 The World Wildlife Fund continues to lead as the most recognized NGO advancing global sustainable development among sustainability professionals across 71 countries across the world, with a sharp increase in positive perceptions since 2019. Greenpeace keeps a stable second position, driven particularly by strong recognition among European and Latin American experts. World Resources Institute is also increasingly pointed to as a leader, especially in North America. Notes: Question wording: … “Insight of the Week: Most Recognized NGO Sustainability Leaders”
Most Recognized Corporate Sustainability Leaders % Experts, Total Mentions, Unprompted 2020 Unilever, Patagonia and IKEA once again hold the top three positions among the most recognized corporate sustainability leaders according to sustainability professionals. Microsoft and Ørsted enter the top ten this year. Natura &Co and Tata are the only companies based outside of Europe and North America to appear on the list of the highest-ranked companies. Notes: Question wording: What specific companies do you think are leaders in integrating sustainability … “Insight of the Week: Most Recognized Corporate Sustainability Leaders”