Circular Economy, Food Systems, and Biodiversity Are Key Focus Areas for the EU Green Deal Priority vs Progress, Expert Stakeholders, 2021 Stakeholders rated a range of sustainability issues on two dimensions – level of priority and progress made. Two issues – clean energy and climate – are areas where priorities and progress are both viewed as being strong. Circularity, food systems, and nature are all issues where priorities are high, but where progress is seen to be weak. These areas … “Insight of the Week: Circular Economy, Food Systems, and Biodiversity Are Key Focus Areas for the EU Green Deal”
High Concern about Climate Change Persists During the COVID-19 Pandemic Seriousness of Climate Change and Global Warming, “Very Serious,” Average of 17 Markets,* 2003–2020 Even with parallel worries about COVID-19 and the economy, environmental issues are still highly concerning for people around the world. Across 17 markets surveyed over the past two decades, a majority continue to think of a range of environmental issues as being “very serious.” Concern about climate change has grown dramatically since 2014 and continues to … “Insight of the Week: High Concern about Climate Change Persists During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
Strong Support for Government Efforts to Reduce Future Pandemics through Ending Deforestation Consumers in China, Myanmar, Thailand, the U.S., and Vietnam, 2021 As human activities such as deforestation increase the risk of disease transfer between animals and humans, an overwhelming majority of people in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the U.S. support government action to curb this destructive practice. Identifying and capitalizing on public support for measures helps drive policy change. Given the strong support for preserving forests, there is … “Insight of the Week: Strong Support for Government Efforts to Reduce Future Pandemics through Ending Deforestation”
People in Most Countries Say Their Governments Are Doing a Poor Job of Protecting Nature and Wildlife Performance of National Government on Protecting Nature and Wildlife, Net Performance,* by Country, 2020 National governments are widely seen as being poor performers when it comes to protecting the natural world. Out of 27 countries and territories surveyed, only those in Asia and Saudi Arabia rate government mostly positively. Saudi Arabian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian respondents rate their governments positively on protecting nature … “Insight of the Week: People in Most Countries Say Their Governments Are Doing a Poor Job of Protecting Nature and Wildlife”
Significant Drop in Ivory Consumption Shows Potency of Governmental Action and Social Marketing Ivory Purchase in Past 12 Months, Chinese Consumers, 2017–2020 The ivory ban implemented in 2018 led to a significant drop in ivory purchase in China, which declined 17 percentage points from 2017. In the past year, just 12 percent of Chinese consumers claim to have purchased ivory. These latest declines are likely the result of effective public campaigns to end ivory purchases. This example highlights the impact … “Insight of the Week: Significant Drop in Ivory Consumption Shows Potency of Governmental Action and Social Marketing”
Young Consumers Are More Willing to Engage in the Sharing Economy and Circular Behaviors “Extremely” and “Very Interested,” by Age, Average of 27 Countries, 2020 Globally, younger people are consistently more interested in circular behaviors like using returnable containers for purchases or renting and sharing items. Those over 30 years old are less likely to favor the shared economy model. Consumers across age groups are interested in actions that support circular behavior. They are most interested in activities where retailers help … “Insight of the Week: Young Consumers Are More Willing to Engage in the Sharing Economy and Circular Behaviors”
Germany and Scandinavian Countries Seen as Most Likely to Implement the European Green Deal Countries Most Likely vs Least Likely To Do Their Fair Share to Implement the European Green Deal, Total Mentions, Expert Stakeholders, Globally, 2020/21 When asked which countries are most likely to do their fair share to implement the European Green Deal, more than half of sustainability experts surveyed point to Germany and Scandinavian countries. In contrast, Poland and Hungary are among the least likely contributors, followed … “Insight of the Week: Germany and Scandinavian Countries Seen as Most Likely to Implement the European Green Deal”
Large Companies and Governments Are Seen to Be Performing Poorly in Protecting Nature and Wildlife Performance of Actors Protecting Nature and Wildlife, Net Performance,* Average of 27 Countries, 2020 In all 27 countries and territories surveyed, respondents rate “people like me” positively, with a net performance score of +34 on protecting nature and wildlife. Performance of the UN is also seen as being largely positive. In contrast, government and especially business have negative net rating scores. In Europe and North … “Insight of the Week: Large Companies and Governments Are Seen to Be Performing Poorly in Protecting Nature and Wildlife”
Sustainability Experts Point to Climate Action as the Most Urgent of the Sustainable Development Goals Most Urgent Goal, Total Mentions, All Respondents (%), 2019–2021 Sustainability experts continue to call out Climate Action as the SDG requiring the most urgent action, followed by Life on Land, Reduced Inequalities, and Responsible Consumption and Production. Reduced Inequalities, Quality Education, Zero Hunger, and Good Health have all increased in perceived urgency compared to 2019. While the Global Goals are highly interrelated, it is clear … “Insight of the Week: Sustainability Experts Point to Climate Action as the Most Urgent of the Sustainable Development Goals”
A Majority of Sustainability Experts Believe the Pandemic Has Slowed Progress on the SDGs Impact of the Pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals, % of Sustainability Experts, 2021 Over half of sustainability experts feel that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially among academics and NGO leaders. Conversely, more than a third of experts feel that the pandemic has accelerated progress on the SDGs. This implies added pressure on the … “Insight of the Week: A Majority of Sustainability Experts Believe the Pandemic Has Slowed Progress on the SDGs”