Racial justice is important to people around the world, and young people in particular – not only in the USA but globally – expect companies to take a strong position. Nearly three-quarters of people who are familiar with the Black Lives Matter movement (BLM) say companies and brands should at least “somewhat” support it. This proportion increases to 85 percent among Gen Z. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
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Keep up to date with our latest news, webinars, and reports.
Keep up to date with our latest news, webinars, and reports.
Larry Fink, CEO and Chairman of BlackRock, published his much-anticipated 10th annual Letter to CEOs in January 2022. BlackRock is the world’s largest investment management firm and the first public asset manager to have US $10 trillion in assets at the beginning of 2022. The letter is addressed to the CEOs of the companies in which BlackRock invests, on behalf of its clients, and lays out Fink’s expectations for how these businesses are managed. This year, Fink uses his letter … “Reinforcing the Need for Long-term Purposeful Business in a Capitalist Society: Analysis of Larry Fink’s Annual Letter to CEOs”
Black Lives Matter has captured the attention of people across the world. Awareness is highest in North America where the movement began, but there is also broad awareness in other regions, particularly Africa / Middle East and Europe. Over seven in ten people globally (72%) who are aware of Black Lives Matter support the movement. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
In key markets, more people are avoiding single-use plastic than they were two years ago. This suggests consumers are paying more attention to plastic when shopping: single-use plastic in or on products has an impact on what people choose to buy. As consumer consciousness around plastic grows, companies will face more pressure to adopt plastic alternatives and circular solutions. Source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Study 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
Investments based on ESG considerations – environmental, social, and governance – have increased over the past two decades in G7 markets, where nearly four in ten retail investors now say they have bought or sold shares based on ESG, up 13 points from 2003. Interest in ESG is particularly strong in the US, where more than half of retail investors (51%) say they pay attention to ESG when making investment decisions. There are growing opportunities to engage the hundreds of … “Insight of the Week: ESG Increasingly Influential for Retail Investors”
Findings from GlobeScan’s latest global opinion research on nature show that there is a gap between growing concern and high expectations from the public, and perceived performance of most actors in protecting nature and wildlife. Concern about the loss of animal and plant species has been increasing steadily over the past eight years; with a majority of people now believing that the loss of biodiversity is a very serious global problem. Many people feel a strong bond with nature, as … “Global Public Opinion Research on Nature | Report”
As we enter 2022 in anticipation of a new round of negotiations post-COP26 and amidst mounting public alarm, it is now up to governments and business to step up and act on their pledges if we are to be able to change course away from catastrophic climate change. But what actions do consumers need to take to play their part? GlobeScan’s Healthy & Sustainable Living public opinion research suggests that people are not making many meaningful changes to their everyday behavior and … “More Consumers are Serious about Climate Change. Are Business and Government Listening?”
Respondents around the world were asked if they self-identify as part of a minority group, including minority ethnic/racial group, religious minority, LGBTQI+, and “another minority group.” Minorities are both more motivated toward a sustainable lifestyle and are more likely to have made major sustainable lifestyle changes than non-minorities. Minority populations are also feeling the impacts of a range of issues, including climate change, more than non-minorities. This suggests that minority populations are feeling the impacts of environmental challenges and are also … “Insight of the Week: Minorities Are Highly Motivated toward Sustainable Living”
People who self-identify as part of a minority group (including minority ethnic/racial group, religious minority, LGBTQI+, and “another minority group”) are more likely to say they are “greatly affected” by climate change and air pollution than non-minority respondents. This highlights the social disparities in how climate change affects communities and makes a powerful case for climate justice. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
Enabling consumers to live more healthy and sustainable lives is not only crucial for our collective future, but also an enormous opportunity for brands to build more trust, loyalty, and engagement with consumers. The Healthy & Sustainable Living global consumer insights research program was launched in 2019 to help companies better understand, engage, and mobilize consumers in this exciting yet challenging area of consumer engagement in sustainability. The 2021 study is the largest yet including over 30,000 interviews across 31 … “Five Consumer Insights to Activate Healthy and Sustainable Living in Asia-Pacific | Report”
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The significant challenges that we have collectively faced over the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic have once again put humanity to the test, and if the start of 2022 is any indication, we will need this resolve to navigate what could be another challenging year ahead. We have re-calibrated over the past 24 months, only to start from scratch and prioritize our personal and professional goals. Living with the changing shades of the pandemic is now a given. … “The Increasing Relevance of Leading a Healthy and Sustainable Lifestyle in India | Report”
Nearly three-quarters of people say governments should require large companies to work to make a better society, up sharply over the past decade. Public support for regulation is expected to remain strong, as people around the world report ongoing low trust in business and growing concerns about key environmental and social issues. Businesses should expect more rigorous governmental regulations on a range of ESG issues. Data source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in … “Insight of the Week: Dramatic Increase in Public Support for Laws Requiring Large Companies to Work for a Better Society”
People under 30 are less likely than older people to claim environmentally friendly behaviors like bringing their own shopping bag, recycling waste, and avoiding single-use plastics. Conversely, younger consumers are more likely than those over 30 to volunteer in their local communities and shop second-hand. There is an opportunity for brands to connect and engage with a younger generation who are excited about sustainable living but need support to change their everyday behavior. Data source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Study 2021 … “Insight of the Week: Actions toward More Sustainable Behavior Vary by Age”
People around the world express a strong desire to live a more sustainable lifestyle, but a much smaller proportion say they have actually made these changes. This gap between aspiration and action is largest in emerging markets, particularly in Africa / Middle East and Latin America, where most people say they would like to do “a great deal” to live more sustainably. People are interested in living more sustainably but need help doing so. This is an opportunity for governments and companies to help shape … “Insight of the Week: There Is a Large Aspiration-Action Gap in Sustainable Living across All Regions of the World”
People believe that governments, companies, and international bodies bear the most responsibility for addressing climate change. At the same time, people consider themselves less responsible for addressing climate change. This signals a new demand from the global public, that national and global institutions need to work toward taking bold action on climate change. Data source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
Findings from GlobeScan’s latest public opinion research show that thirty-nine percent of retail investors around the world say they have invested with ESG in mind and another 39 percent say they have considered it. Shareholders in Asian markets (especially China, Thailand, and Vietnam) are most likely to have already bought or sold shares because of the company’s social and environmental responsibility approach. Investment based on ESG considerations has increased over the past two decades in the G7 markets, where 37 … “Report: Retail Investors Show Strong and Growing Interest in ESG”
Oxford and GlobeScan convened a panel and roundtable discussion on 8 December with members of the Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs Council. The event featured some global public opinion insights on the shifting expectations of the global public regarding the Climate Agenda by Chris Coulter, GlobeScan CEO, and perspectives from Miguel Veiga-Pestana, Head of Corporate Affairs & Chief Sustainability Officer, Reckitt, on experiences at and key takeaways from COP26. The session was moderated by Rupert Younger, Director, Oxford University Centre for Corporate … “Impact of COP26 on the Corporate Affairs Function”
Around the world, more people feel “greatly affected” by climate change than a year ago. This sentiment has increased across all regions and is highest in Latin America, where a majority now feel greatly affected by climate change. While this is lower in North America, there is still a significant increase in the number of people who feel climate change is greatly affecting them. This figure will likely continue to grow as temperatures rise and extreme weather events intensify, leading … “Insight of the Week: People Feel Increasingly Affected by Climate Change”
In-depth consumer research in Japan revealed that the sense of Iyashi (mental healing properties) and Kawaii (cuteness) people find in animals are the most significant underlying motivations for owning exotic pets. In the face of growing popularity of exotic pets globally, the study calls for consumer behaviour change through targeted communications and social mobilization. Among the many threats facing wildlife today, the international pet trade is recognized as a key factor in driving some species towards extinction. Exotic pet trade … “New Study Unveils Consumer Motivations for Exotic Pets in Japan”
In the wake of the COP26 talks, we again find ourselves critically analyzing the success of what is arguably the world’s most important summit. Were the commitments strong enough? Will those in power live up to the commitments? To bring current perspectives to life on climate change, I will draw from several recent GlobeScan research studies. In partnership with the SustainAbility Institute by ERM, the 2021 Climate Survey “Responding to Humanity’s Code Red” is the latest edition of our collaboration surveying experts … “With Climate Concern at All-Time High, Consumers Want Action More than Promises”
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Most people around the world say that deforestation of the Amazon rainforest is a serious problem. People are more concerned about this than other challenges such as shortages of fresh water, lack of access to healthcare, and unemployment. Concern is especially high in Latin America – specifically in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Europeans also express relatively strong concern. People farther from the Amazon region express comparatively less concern, but a wide majority around the world still say this … “Insight of the Week: Deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest Seen as a Serious Global Concern”
GlobeScan recently hosted a special webinar to explore the environmental, social, and governance implications for the climate agenda after COP26. Our conversation featured an esteemed panel of leaders: Mark Carney, UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, Vice Chair of Brookfield Asset Management, and former Governor of the Banks of England and Canada, who shared his sense of the implications of COP26, guided by insights from his new book, Value(s). Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive of Anglo American, who spoke … “Webinar & Summary | The Climate Agenda Post COP26: a Conversation with Mark Carney, Mark Cutifani, & Gail Klintworth”
Concern about overconsumption has increased significantly compared to before the pandemic, with majorities of people around the world saying we need to consume less for the sake of future generations. This pattern of increased consumer consciousness is seen across all regions surveyed. With increasing unease about our current levels of consumption, people everywhere will be looking for more sustainable consumption patterns. Data source: GlobeScan Healthy & Sustainable Living Study 2021 (survey of 30,000 people in the general public in July 2021)
GlobeScan surveyed people in five English-speaking countries about their awareness of “net zero” products or companies. Only one-quarter of respondents globally claim at least “some” awareness about this concept. More people in the USA and the UK have heard of net zero than in other countries. Awareness is also higher among Millennials and those with higher incomes. Overall, this suggests a need to educate consumers on net zero as a tactic against climate change. Data source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2021 … “Insight of the Week: People Largely Unaware of Net Zero”