Corporate attitudes towards sustainability 2020

A survey of large companies in six countries around the world has identified that environmental management and sustainability are growing corporate priorities as a result of Covid-19.

Corporate attitudes towards sustainability cover

Overview

Sustainability is expected to increase in importance for large companies as a result of Covid-19 according to new research commissioned by the Carbon Trust. Over 70% of companies interviewed for the research said environmental management and/or sustainability priorities are likely to become somewhat more important or significantly more important for them as a result of Covid-19.

The findings suggest that even in extremely challenging market conditions, sustainability is an area that businesses are continuing to prioritise – perhaps reflecting a deeper appreciation of the risks associated with a global crisis.

This ongoing commitment to corporate climate action is vital in order to deliver a green recovery and low carbon sustainable economies and our experience, as a trusted partner to businesses around the world, supports the findings of this research.

Publication date: Oct 2020

Key findings

  • Environmental management and sustainability priorities are expected to become more important due to Covid-19. Companies in Germany and Mexico are most likely to think their sustainability priorities will become more important.
  • Companies in the wholesale and retail sector, construction, engineering and mining, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors are more likely to think that environmental management and/or sustainability priorities will become more important. 
  • Even for organisations that have been significantly affected by Covid-19, the expectation is that sustainability is likely to become more important in the future. 

Notes on the research

B2B International conducted online interviews with sustainability and corporate responsibility professionals in companies in France, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Spain and the UK. 

The focus was on large companies with at least 1,000 employees mainly in the following sectors: business and financial services, IT and telecoms; manufacturing; construction, engineering and mining; public sector and education; healthcare; wholesale and retail; and transport, storage and communication.
 

Related links

Press release

Corporate sustainability services

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