A STUDY has revealed a measure of skepticism towards companies declaring climate change objectives.
Communications firm Havas Ortega said in its Prosumer Report that only 5% of Filipinos believe that companies are putting in significant effort to reduce their environmental impact.
Havas Ortega defines “prosumers” as the 15-20% of the population with the power to shape new attitudes, behaviors, trends, and brands.
“Our findings are a dire warning for Filipino businesses and brands amid an escalating climate crisis,” Havas Ortega President and Chief Executive Officer Jos Ortega said.
Mr. Ortega added that prosumers expect companies to take the lead in sustainable innovations to reduce their carbon footprint and are acutely aware of the environmental stakes.
The report said that 41% of respondents expect corporations and brands to tackle climate change.
“This gap exposes a harsh reality: mere acknowledgment of responsibility by corporations and brands is insufficient,” Havas Ortega said.
It added that to satisfy the demands of eco-conscious consumers, companies should take bold and uncompromising steps in environmental leadership.
The firm said that about 60% of consumers avoid brands that are in conflict with their environmental beliefs.
“This change presents a dual-faced scenario: a formidable challenge and a golden opportunity for businesses to remodel their practices towards authentic sustainability and environmental guardianship,” it added.
It said that 82% of respondents believe that large companies are more capable of implementing climate change action, while 83% believe profit-rich enterprises should lead in funding environmental initiatives.
“Businesses must not only adopt but also openly communicate their environmental initiatives, aligning them with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Havas Ortega said.
It added that active engagement with various sectors is crucial to implementing sustainability projects, while better technology and infrastructure can significantly reduce environmental impact. — Adrian H. Halili