Redefining Sustainability in Asia: Rise of ‘Aspirational’ Consumers

Originally published for K Magazine, GlobeScan CEO, Christophe Guibeleguiet, takes a look at how Asian consumer attitudes to business in society are changing and the need for companies to balance opportunity with responsibility. Divided into a 3-part blog series, our first post looked at trust, optimism, and extending corporate leadership in Asia, our second on health and safety issues, while this post will look at the rise of ‘Aspirational’ consumers. In the first part of this blog series, we looked at the growing trust … “Redefining Sustainability in Asia: Rise of ‘Aspirational’ Consumers”

Our 2014 Predictions for the Nexus of Reputation, Brand and Sustainability

Our 2014 predictions blog identifies seven key trends that we think will have particular impact across the sustainability, reputation, brand nexus. We share our forecasts for key consumer and stakeholder trends, examine the challenges that these represent to business, and anticipate how organizations are likely to respond. 1. Social inequality a rising concern.  Evidence from GlobeScan’s stakeholder and consumer surveys supports the notion that social and economic inequality will be key issues of global concern this year. We will continue … “Our 2014 Predictions for the Nexus of Reputation, Brand and Sustainability”

How Perceived Disagreement on Climate Change is Impeding Sustainable Consumption

In a recent blog post, we used Greendex Survey data to show that those who do not experience the negative effects of climate change are also less likely to choose a sustainable lifestyle. In this post we aim to further explore the factors that may be delaying people’s likelihood of making more sustainable purchases. In the final months of 2013, the Psychonomics Society hosted reputable philosophers and scientists to discuss the cognitive factors that underlie perceptions of human impact on climate … “How Perceived Disagreement on Climate Change is Impeding Sustainable Consumption”

Out of sight, out of mind: How businesses can tackle future discounting to enable sustainable consumer behaviour

The Greendex Survey, the result of a partnership between National Geographic and GlobeScan, is a global tracking study developed to quantify and monitor consumer attitudes toward environmentally sustainable consumption. In addition to providing a global perspective on behavioural trends across 17,000 consumers in 17 countries, the survey provides each respondent with their own “Greendex Score”, a calculation of their environmental footprint. As we gear up for the Greendex 2014, we decided to revisit some of our 2012 data to provide … “Out of sight, out of mind: How businesses can tackle future discounting to enable sustainable consumer behaviour”

Green Consumers Alive and Well, but Living in Emerging Economies

This article was originally published on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series. 5 December 2013 – To those of us seemingly surrounded by climate burnout and indifference, it is perhaps comforting that important places in the world are experiencing their first big wave of green consumerism. This is the picture that emerges from GlobeScan’s latest 20-country consumer poll that tracks climate concerns and low-carbon behavior. Results show low-carbon consumer behavior is surging in emerging economies such as China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. Asked … “Green Consumers Alive and Well, but Living in Emerging Economies”

2.5 Billion Aspirational Consumers Mark Shift in Sustainable Consumption

Study finds largest consumer segment globally seeks style, status and sustainability NEW YORK CITY – 03 October 2013 – A new study by GlobeScan, SustainAbility, and BBMG confirms the rise of nearly 2.5 billion consumers globally who are uniting style, social status and sustainability values to redefine consumption. According to the report, The 2013 Aspirational Consumer Index, more than one-third of consumers globally (36.4%) identify as Aspirationals, defined by their love of shopping (78%), desire for responsible consumption (92%) and … “2.5 Billion Aspirational Consumers Mark Shift in Sustainable Consumption”

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”

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”

Consumers Rank Ingredient Transparency Among Most Important Issues For Brands

NEW YORK CITY – 25 April 2013 – A study by The Regeneration Roadmap – a joint project by GlobeScan, SustainAbility, and BBMG – finds that nearly 9 in 10 consumers globally (86%) say “ingredient transparency is extremely important or very important” for companies to address as part of their products, services, or operations, including 88% of consumers in emerging markets and 84% of consumers in developed markets. However, only 57% regularly “check the list of ingredients before purchasing” products, highlighting the gap between interest and action … “Consumers Rank Ingredient Transparency Among Most Important Issues For Brands”

How Can Businesses Nudge ‘Stuck’ Consumers to be Greener?

This article by Eric Whan originally appeared on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series.  7 March 2013 – What have the turbulent past few years done for consumers’ behaviors around the environment? With political leadership on the issue notable only by its absence, the issue of whether consumers will ever embrace the sort of behavioral change most experts say is needed to avoid future environmental disaster is becoming ever more pressing. Leadership companies will be those that get into … “How Can Businesses Nudge ‘Stuck’ Consumers to be Greener?”