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)
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)
While 66 percent of corporate employees around the world say that they would quit their job if they felt that their company was not environmentally or socially responsible, the results differ dramatically by generation. The research shows that younger employees have higher expectations for corporate sustainability and that insufficient corporate performance on this issue can lead to a loss of talent. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2022 (survey of 21,979 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Over seven in ten corporate employees around the world say their companies are not doing what they say when it comes to environmental and social responsibility. Sustainability is increasingly important for employees as strong social and environmental performance can help drive loyalty and retention. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2022 (survey of 21,979 people in the general public in June ‒ July 2022)
Around the world, over four in ten people surveyed say that the unequal treatment of women is a “very serious” issue. Concern is highest in South Africa and Turkey and lowest in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. Younger people tend to be much more concerned about the issue; more than half of Gen Z say that the unequal treatment of women is “very serious,” suggesting growing pressure for gender equality in the future. Source: GlobeScan Radar Report 2022 … “Insight of the Week: Younger Generations Are More Concerned about Unequal Treatment of Women”