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Keep up to date with our latest news, webinars, and reports.

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Should Supply or Demand Drive Sustainable Products?

This article was originally published on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series.  4 July 2013 – Given the lack of momentum on the global sustainability agenda in recent years, an atmosphere of mutual frustration between various levels of society is understandable. If nothing else, it inclines some to ask: Who do we turn to in order to drive the agenda forward? When our panel of sustainability experts at GlobeScan is asked whether we need more supply of or demand … “Should Supply or Demand Drive Sustainable Products?”

Evolution at GlobeScan

TORONTO, 28 JUNE 2013 – GlobeScan, a 25-year leader in global polling and stakeholder intelligence, is announcing another key step in its evolution into the first “evidence and ideas” company – focused on evidence-based advisory and stakeholder engagement services to leadership organizations. Along with its recent re-branding and enhancements to its service offerings, GlobeScan is today making a generational change in leadership with founder Doug Miller passing his CEO role to co-CEOs Chris Coulter and Christophe Guibeleguiet. Doug Miller, continuing … “Evolution at GlobeScan”

How Global Business Can Respond to Societal Expectations: A GlobeScan Radar Webinar

With businesses, citizens and governments around the world adjusting to a ‘new normal’ of low growth and contending with an ever-growing set of complex social and environmental challenges, how are public attitudes towards the corporate world and its place in society changing? And how can business respond? Through our annual global polling on business in society that informs the GlobeScan Radar program, we conducted a webinar on June 27, 2013 that looked at the current state of public trust in … “How Global Business Can Respond to Societal Expectations: A GlobeScan Radar Webinar”

Governments, Businesses, and Consumers Look to Each Other to Drive Increased Sustainability

With frustration at the lack of progress on sustainability being expressed from many quarters, who should we be expecting to drive change? Experts in sustainability tend to believe the impetus has to come from consumers: when asked about sustainability supply and demand dynamics earlier this year, only around one in four (23%) thought that society required a greater supply of regulations and options for consumers from companies and governments, while 41 percent thought that more consumer demand is required. Experts … “Governments, Businesses, and Consumers Look to Each Other to Drive Increased Sustainability”

GlobeScan Helps Launch the UN Global Compact’s Canadian Local Network

On June 13, 2013, the UN Global Compact officially launched the Canadian Local Network. GlobeScan, along with six founding signatory companies – Barrick Gold Corp, Scotiabank, Suncor Energy, Teck Resources Limited, TELUS, and Unilever Canada – helped to drive the initiative, which now has over 80 Canadian signatories from a wide range of sectors and industries. The UN Global Compact is inviting other leading organizations to join the Canadian Network in a unique opportunity for companies and organizations across Canada to: … “GlobeScan Helps Launch the UN Global Compact’s Canadian Local Network”

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GlobeScan is an independent, employee-owned insights consultancy whose mission is to help co-create a more sustainable and equitable future. We work with large companies, NGOs and multi-lateral organizations to help them better understand and respond to stakeholder expectations and societal issues.

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What Companies are Missing in the Outcry Against GM Crops

This article by Eric Whan originally appeared on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series.  7 June 2013 – A protest against genetically modified (GM) foods took place in 250 cities around the world late last month. Two million people took part, according to organizers. In light of the March Against Monsanto, as the event was dubbed, and the undeniable pressure the global food system faces to meet the needs of a projected 9 billion people by 2050, it is timely to revisit … “What Companies are Missing in the Outcry Against GM Crops”

BT’s Better Future Forum

Report and Video Summary BT’s Better Future Forum is an online discussion that brings together the world’s leading thinkers to share and develop new strategies to help build a more sustainable future for everyone. On 2 July 2013, hundreds of sustainability experts from around the world joined GlobeScan and BT in a global online conversation to explore how the power of ‘net positive’ strategies can help businesses play their part in a shared better future. Participants were joined by senior executives … “BT’s Better Future Forum”

Consensus Remains Among Global Public on the Need to go “Beyond GDP”

With the airwaves often dominated by discussion of economic indicators and GDP, a casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that this was the only valid measure of a country’s development. However, nearly seven in ten citizens across eleven countries think that a broader measure—one incorporating health, environmental, and social statistics—should be used instead of GDP to measure national progress. Drawn from our most recent work with Ethical Markets, the ICAEW, and business think-tank Tomorrow’s Company, these figures from 11 … “Consensus Remains Among Global Public on the Need to go “Beyond GDP””

Public Backing for Going Beyond GDP Remains Strong

LONDON – 28 May 2013 – The public around the world remains strongly in favour of replacing GDP with a broader way of reporting national progress, according to a new global poll released today. The study, conducted by GlobeScan on behalf of Ethical Markets, business think tank Tomorrow’s Company and the ICAEW, surveyed 10,845 adults across 11 countries. It shows that more than two-thirds – 68 percent of citizens on average – in the countries surveyed favour replacing GDP with a … “Public Backing for Going Beyond GDP Remains Strong”

Amid tension over corporate tax affairs, public looks to a new role for companies

The past week has seen an escalating war of words between big business and policymakers over the taxes paid by multinationals. Apple and Google came under fire from UK and US legislators, while European leaders pledged concerted action to close tax loopholes. However, GlobeScan’s 2013 polling reveals that for the global public, payment of taxes is the bare minimum they expect of companies. Across 24 countries, around a quarter (23%) say they believe that companies’ main responsibility is to pay … “Amid tension over corporate tax affairs, public looks to a new role for companies”

Views of China and India Slide While UK’s Ratings Climb

Download the Full Report (PDF) 22 May 2013 – Positive views of China and India have fallen sharply around the world over the last year, a new 25-country poll for BBC World Service indicates. The poll also finds that views of the UK have improved in the wake of its hosting of the 2012 Olympics, making the UK the third most positively rated country. Of the other fifteen countries rated, nine saw their ratings positive worsen this year while the UK … “Views of China and India Slide While UK’s Ratings Climb”

Majority of Canadian Youth Feel They Can Make a Difference in the World

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada releases new survey that shows 83% of Canadian youth feel they can make a difference in the world when loved and supported by family and friends  Download Infographic English | French OTTAWA, CANADA – 23 May 2013 – Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) today released a unique survey where Canadian youth as young as 8 years old answered the question “what makes you feel confident?” For the 83% of Canadian youth who feel … “Majority of Canadian Youth Feel They Can Make a Difference in the World”

Global Study Finds Peers, Consumer Reviews Now Rival Certifications As Top Sources of Trust on Product Sustainability Claims

Traditional company communications are least trusted sources of information on sustainability NEW YORK CITY – 21 May 2013 – Trust is no longer in your hands. According to a study by GlobeScan, SustainAbility, and BBMG, social sources of trust like consumer reviews, blogs and message boards (28%) as well as friends, family and co-workers (27%) now rival traditional sources like certifications (40%) and media reports (31%) as consumers’ most trusted sources for determining whether a product is socially and environmentally responsible. Barely one … “Global Study Finds Peers, Consumer Reviews Now Rival Certifications As Top Sources of Trust on Product Sustainability Claims”

From ‘Informed’ to ‘Disengaged’: The Six Ways Indians View Global Warming

27 August 2012 – A new national study in India finds six distinct groups within the Indian public that respond to the issue of climate change in very different ways, according to a new report, “Global Warming’s Six Indias” by researchers at Yale University. “One of the first rules of effective communication is ‘know your audience,’” said Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, lead author of the report. “This study should help climate change communicators and educators in India raise public awareness and understanding … “From ‘Informed’ to ‘Disengaged’: The Six Ways Indians View Global Warming”

Mining industry faces a struggle to win public hearts and minds

Job losses at Anglo American Platinum and Rio Tinto, as well as the possible liquidation of UK Coal, are just three incidents from recent weeks that highlight the headwinds facing the mining industry, with commodity prices remaining depressed. GlobeScan’s polling shows that the industry faces similar challenges connecting with the general public. In most of the countries surveyed in our Radar global public attitudes tracking, majorities cannot name a single mining company they respect. To some degree this low public … “Mining industry faces a struggle to win public hearts and minds”

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When Will Emerging Economies Embrace Sustainability?

This article by Eric Whan originally appeared on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series.  15 May 2013 – Each year, GlobeScan’s Sustainability Leaders survey asks experts to name a company they regard as a leader in sustainability. As Joel Makower noted recently, one company above all others — Unilever — has emerged as the sustainability champion par excellence in recent years, thanks to its highly ambitious Sustainable Living Plan. And this year, more than one in four experts mention the company is stretching its lead over the … “When Will Emerging Economies Embrace Sustainability?”

High public concern for human rights – but UK among countries where animal rights seen as more important

Across the world both human and animal rights movements remain popular, with millions around the world joining advocacy and campaigning groups. Activists may sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of public opinion, such as when animal rights activists target the life sciences industry, or when the legal battles of criminals and terrorists are protracted, alienating the general population. But public support for the rights agenda nonetheless remains high. In our most recent global polling, 76% of those polled across … “High public concern for human rights – but UK among countries where animal rights seen as more important”