When asked about issues in the food system, most consumers express concern about all issues tested. People are particularly worried about chemicals in agriculture and waste from single-use plastic packaging. Issues that relate to food production and transport are comparatively lower sources of concern. This shows that a significant majority of consumers around the world are thinking about these global food system issues. As awareness grows, so will the expectation that players in the food system take action to address … “Insight of the Week: High Consumer Concern about Issues in the Food System”
Around the world, nearly half of consumers say that national governments have the greatest influence to build a more healthy and sustainable food system. More than one-third of consumers believe that food & beverage companies are best placed to achieve positive change, but just one in five feel that “people like me” can play a role in building a more healthy and sustainable food system. This suggests that consumers are feeling unempowered and are looking to governments and companies to help them … “Insight of the Week: Consumers Rate Governments and Food & Beverage Companies as Key to a Sustainable Food System”
People in all 31 countries and territories surveyed express high levels of concern about the changing climate, with overwhelming majorities everywhere seeing climate change as at least “somewhat serious.” Latin Americans and people in Southern Europe tend to be the most concerned about climate change. Perceived seriousness is lowest in Australia, Russia, and the USA, yet even in these countries, eight in ten people view climate change as a serious issue. These findings demonstrate a backdrop of public support for … “Insight of the Week: Concern about Climate Change Is High across the World”
People in Nigeria, Colombia, Turkey, Portugal, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia express the most concern about human rights abuses. Perceived seriousness is lowest in Asian countries, including China and South Korea. Women and younger people tend to be more strongly concerned about human rights abuses, with Gen Z respondents being the most worried. This suggests that the issue will become increasingly relevant over time, with younger people expecting more attention paid to human rights along with accountability from governments and … “Insight of the Week: Concern About Human Rights Varies Across the World”
Sustainability experts’ concern about biodiversity loss has increased substantially over the past decade, with more experts than ever now saying that this is an urgent issue. This sentiment is shared across all stakeholder audiences and geographies, especially among experts in the NGO sector and in North America. Biodiversity loss is the second-highest concern for sustainability experts after climate change and suggests a growing expectation for more action on the nature agenda by governments, companies and NGOs. Data source: GlobeScan / … “Insight of the Week: Sustainability Experts Have Become Increasingly Concerned About Biodiversity Loss Over Past Decade”
A majority of Corporate Affairs professionals – nearly three-quarters – feel that their company is interested in taking a public advocacy position on issues. This view is shared by experts across industries, with a stronger appetite for corporate activism in the food, agriculture, and forestry sector (80%). Those in financial and professional services perceive a slightly lower interest in corporate activism from their organizations (67%). This suggests that companies are increasingly aware of their role in managing global challenges and … “Insight of the Week: Corporate Affairs Professionals Indicate an Appetite for Activism Among Companies”
Perceived seriousness of climate change has reached its highest level since tracking began 23 years ago, with over six in ten across 17 markets now saying that climate change is “very serious.” Global concern and engagement around climate issues is growing and is expected to increase over the next several years. People in Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, and Turkey are the most concerned about climate change. In the USA, concern is historically high (53% say it is “very serious”) and … “Insight of the Week: Public Concern About Climate Change is at its Highest Level Since 1998”
Insight of the Week: Corporate Affairs Professionals Perceive Growing Trust Among Their Stakeholders
Four in ten Corporate Affairs professionals now feel they are building stakeholder trust that their business operates in society’s best interest, a significant increase from a year ago. This could be due in part to positive feedback companies have received as a result of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Heightened trust in business may also indicate the successes of stakeholder engagement in working to better understand societal and environmental impacts. Data source: Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs Survey Report 2021
Overall, experts are now more optimistic that the pandemic will not derail action on sustainable development. In 2020, almost half of sustainability professionals predicted a de-prioritization of the sustainability agenda over the coming decade as a result of the coronavirus. Now just one in four experts believe this will happen. Furthermore, a third of experts believe more attention will be given to the environment due to the pandemic. However, COVID-19 is perceived to be exacerbating socio-economic challenges, with nearly four … “Insight of the Week: Stakeholders Predict Inequality as Biggest Outcome from the Pandemic; Much Less Pessimistic on Sustainability”
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) remains the most widely recognized NGO for its contribution to sustainable development, followed by Greenpeace and World Resources Institute (WRI). Professionals in the NGO and corporate sectors and those based in Asia-Pacific and Europe tend to be more likely to see World Wildlife Fund as a sustainability leader than respondents from other sectors and regions. While the selection of most-recognized NGOs has remained almost the same compared to last year, Greta Thunberg’s climate-focused youth movement, Fridays … “Insight of the Week: WWF, Greenpeace, and WRI Are Viewed as Leading NGOs in Advancing Sustainable Development”