2013 Gibbs & Soell
SENSE & SUSTAINABILITY STUDY

Perspectives on Corporate Sustainability Among
U.S. Adults and Employees
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Background and Objectives 	   3
Executive Summary 			         5
Detailed Findings			          9
Data Collection Method 		     16




                                   ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   2
BACKGROUND
AND OBJECTIVES




                 ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   3
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
•	 Gibbs & Soell (G&S) is a global business communications firm with expertise in
   sustainability consulting, employee engagement, consumer marketing and business
   consulting for the advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and food, home and building,
   and financial services industries.🌿🌱🌱﹅

•	 G&S commissioned its research partner Harris Interactive® to conduct the fourth annual
   Gibbs & Soell Sense & Sustainability® Study.

•	 The research primarily focused on the perceptions of corporate sustainability among
   consumers and employees, specifically:
    •	 Businesses’ commitment to sustainability;
    •	 Responsibility for sustainability initiatives;
    •	 Interest in learning about companies “going green” and social responsibility initiatives;
    •	 Strong link between sustainable choices made at work and at home; and,
    •	 Media coverage about companies “going green” and social responsibility initiatives.




                                                                                              ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   4
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY




            ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   5
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
•	 The general public remains skeptical of corporate America’s commitment to sustainability.

    •	 Only 21 percent of all U.S. adults and 23 percent of those employed full-time and/or part-
       time believe that a majority of businesses (“most,” “almost all,” or “all”) are committed to
       “going green” – defined as “improving the health of the environment by implementing more
       sustainable business practices and/or offering environmentally-friendly products or services.”
    •	 More than half of adults (60 percent) and employees (62 percent) say they often see, read,
       or hear information about companies “going green” in the media they typically rely on for
       news. This represents a decrease among adults from 65 percent in 2012.

•	 Despite their doubt, nearly three-quarters of adults (72 percent) and employees
   (74 percent) have an interest in learning what companies are doing in terms of
   sustainability and “going green.”




                                                                                            ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   6
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY continued
•	 Among employed adults, there is a strong link between knowledge gained about a
   company’s sustainability efforts and intent to purchase from that company.

   •	 Three-quarters (75 percent) of employed adults say they would be more likely to buy a
      company’s products or services if they learned it was making a great effort to adopt
      environmentally-conscious practices.

•	 Many employed adults reveal a gap in or express uncertainty about their own
   company’s practices.

   •	 More than one-third (37 percent) of employees are not sure whether there is anyone at their
      company who is responsible for sustainability. According to 31 percent of employees, no one
      is responsible for sustainability at work.

   •	 Nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of employees say their company does not promote sustainability
      at all.




                                                                                         ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY continued
•	 There is an opportunity to engage more employees to take part in corporate
   sustainability efforts.

    •	 About one-fifth (21 percent) of employees do not participate in any company activities that
       support “going green” or social responsibility. This proportion increases to about one-quarter
       (26 percent) among adults employed by a company that promotes sustainability.

•	 Employees who take part in their company’s sustainability program express a mutual
   relation between sustainable choices they make at work and at home. They also
   want to see their company more actively involved in the areas of environmental and
   social responsibility.

    •	 Among employees engaged in corporate sustainability initiatives, nearly three-quarters (73
       percent) say they are more likely to make sustainable choices at home. The same proportion
       (73 percent) wish their employer adopted more sustainable business practices.




                                                                                            ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   8
DETAILED FINDINGS




                    ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   9
In your opinion, how many businesses are committed to “going green” – that is, improving the
health of the environment by implementing more sustainable business practices and/or offering
environmentally-friendly products or services?


 TOTAL ADULTS                                                                                                         2013           2012      2011               2010


                                                                   50%         50%
                                                                                     48%
                                                                         47%

  MAJORITY NET TREND
  2013 - 21% 2012 - 21% 2011 - 17% 2010 - 16%



                                                                                                    23%         24%
                                                                                              22%         22%


                                        13%         13%
                                              11%         11%                                                                                                   10%
                                                                                                                                                           9%
                                                                                                                                                    7%
        5%                                                                                                                                     6%
   4%                   4% 4%
                   3%
              2%                2% 2%                                                                                             2% 2%
                                                                                                                             1%           1%

        All             Almost All             Most                       Some                      A Few                         None              Not Sure


                                              Note: Majority Net refers to the sum of All/Almost All/Most.
                                        2010 Base: Total Adults (N=2,605). 2011 Base: Total Adults (N=2,031).
                                        2012 Base: Total Adults (N=2,211). 2013 Base: Total Adults (N=2,219).




                                                                                                                                                         ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   10
Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.


 TOTAL ADULTS




 If I learned that a company was     I am interested in learning what       The media are more likely to report   I often see, read, or hear
 making a great effort to adopt      companies are doing in terms           on “bad news” than “good news”        information about companies
 environmentally-conscious           of sustainability and “going green”.   when covering how companies are       “going green” in the media I typically
 practices, I would be more likely                                          addressing efforts to “go green”.     rely on for news (e.g., newspapers,
 to purchase that company’s                                                                                       magazines, blogs, TV/radio
 products or services.                                                                                            newscasts, etc.).




  75%               AG REE
                                     72%               AGREE
                                                                             75%               AGREE
                                                                                                                  60%               AG R EE



                                           I feel well-informed about current sustainability
                                           and environment-related issues in general.
                                                                                                  57%              AG R EE



                                               Summary of Agree (“Somewhat Agree” and “Strongly Agree”)
                                                                 Total adults (N= 2,219).




                                                                                                                                             ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   11
Is there anyone at your company who is responsible for sustainability – meaning “going green,”
or social responsibility initiatives?

 EMPLOYED ADULTS




  My company has a team of               My company has a team of                 My company has a C-suite, or other         My company has a C-suite, or
  individuals who work on                individuals whose jobs are               senior level title/position, that is       other senior level title/position,
  sustainability, “going green,”         specifically and solely dedicated        specifically and solely dedicated          that incorporates sustainability,
  or social responsibility initiatives   to sustainability, “going green,”        to sustainability, “going green,” or       “going green,” or social responsibility
  in addition to their primary           or social responsibility initiatives.    social responsibility initiatives (e.g.,   initiatives as part of a broader or
  job descriptions.                                                               Chief Sustainability Officer, CSR          different job description (e.g., Chief
                                                                                  Manager, Director of Corporate             Technology Officer, Chief Operations
                                                                                  Sustainability).                           Officer, Director of Public Affairs).




          16%                                      10%                                        6%                                     6%
             3%Other                                              None
                                                                            31%                                          Not Sure
                                                                                                                                    37%
                                                  Base: U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time (N=1,028).




                                                                                                                                                         ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   12
Which of the following sources, if any, do you rely on for information about your company’s
efforts to promote sustainability – meaning “going green” or social responsibility?


                                                                                                               All Employed FT/PT    Company promotes sustainability


                                                                              53%                 Internal                66%




   19%
                                                                              25%               Co-workers                30%
                                                                              22%           Company meetings              28%
                                        All Employed FT/PT                                                                           Company promotes
                                                                              22%            Company Intranet             27%
                                                                                                                                       sustainability
                                                                              21%           Internal newsletters          26%
   of Employees say their
   Company Does Not                                                                     Participation on sustainable
                                                                              15%                                         18%
   Promote Sustainability                                                                         activities
                                              INTERNAL                                       Job expectations/                           INTERNAL
                                              COMMUNICATIONS                   8%                                         10%            COMMUNICATIONS
                                                                                            Performance review




   23%
                                                                              34%                 External                42%
                                                                              18%            Corporate website            23%

                                               EXTERNAL                       13%               News media                15%                 EXTERNAL
                                               COMMUNICATIONS                                                                                 COMMUNICATIONS
                                                                                          Sustainability or social
   of Employees who say                                                       11%                                         13%
                                                                                           responsibilty reports
   their Company Does
   Promote Sustainability                                                     11%          Social media & blogs           13%
   do not rely on any sources                                                  4%                  Other                   5%
   for information about
   corporate efforts                                                          18%                  None                   23%
                                                                                           My company does not
                                                                              19%                                          n/a
                                                                                        promote sustainability at all

                                                                  Multiple responses permitted.
                                                 Base: U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time (N=1,028)
                                U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time at a Company that Promotes Sustainability (N=815).




                                                                                                                                                      ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   13
What types of company activities that support sustainability – meaning “going green” or social
responsibility – do you participate in (voluntarily or involuntarily) at your workplace?


                                                                                                        All Employed FT/PT     Company promotes sustainability




            40%
            of Employees say either
            their Company Does Not
                                                               37%

                                                               35%

                                                               19%
                                                                                          Energy efficiency

                                                                                       Resource conservation

                                                                               Community service or volunteer efforts
                                                                                                                               46%

                                                                                                                               43%

                                                                                                                               23%
            Promote Sustainability or                           7%                    Philanthropic fundraising                9%
            They Do Not Participate
            in Corporate Sustainability                        12%                    Green team participation                 15%
            Activities.
                                                               10%                   Green product development                 12%




            26%
                                                               10%        Mentoring to advance cultural & gender diversity     12%

                                                                8%                              Other                          9%

                                                               21%                              None                           26%
            of Employees who say
            their Company Does
            Promote Sustainability                             19%        My company does not promote sustainability at all    n/a
            do not participate in
            corporate sustainability
            activities.




                                                            Multiple responses permitted.
                                           Base: U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time (N=1,028)
                           U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time at a Company that Promotes Sustainability (N=815)




                                                                                                                                                ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   14
Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.


 EMPLOYED ADULTS WHO TAKE PART IN SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITY AT WORK




  I encourage other people to make        I wish my company/                       I am more likely to make                     My company/employer does a
  sustainable choices – meaning           employer engaged in more                 sustainable choices at home as               good job of communicating its
  “going green” or engaging in            sustainable business practices           a result of participating in “going          sustainability business practices –
  social responsibility initiatives.      – meaning “going green” or               green” or social responsibility              meaning “going green” or social
                                          social responsibility initiatives.       initiatives at my workplace.                 responsibility initiatives – to its
                                                                                                                                employees.




  80%              AG REE
                                         73%                AGREE
                                                                                   73%                 AGREE
                                                                                                                           69%                      AG R EE




                                                                                                                         63%
                                           My company/employer does a good job of communicating
                                           its sustainability business practices – meaning “going green”
                                           or social responsibility initiatives – to other stakeholders
                                                                                                                                            AG R EE
                                           (e.g., shareholders, the media, the public).



                                                    Summary of Agree (“Somewhat Agree” and “Strongly Agree”)
                          U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time Who Participate in Any Workplace Sustainability Activities (N=577).




                                                                                                                                                            ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   15
DATA COLLECTION
METHOD




                  ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   16
DATA COLLECTION METHOD
•	 All data collection was conducted online by Harris Interactive.

•	 A nationally representative sample of 2,219 U.S. adults ages 18+ (i.e., consumers and
   general public) including 1,028 adults who are employed full-time and/or part-time was
   interviewed using the QuickQuery℠ online omnibus services, with the Harris Poll
   Online (HPOL) panel as the sampling frame.

    •	 Date collection was conducted between February 28 and March 4, 2013.

    •	 Final data are weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population based on: region,
       age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online.




                                                                                           ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   17
2013 Gibbs & Soell
Sense & Sustainability Study
Perspectives on Corporate Sustainability Among U.S. Adults and Employees

For more information:
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
www.gibbs-soell.com

Ron Loch
Principal and Managing Director, Sustainability Consulting Practice
(312) 648-6700 or rloch@gibbs-soell.com

Mary C. Buhay
Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
(212) 697-2600 or mbuhay@gibbs-soell.com




                                                                           ©2013 Gibbs & Soell   18

2013 Gibbs-Soell Sense & Sustainability Study

  • 1.
    2013 Gibbs &Soell SENSE & SUSTAINABILITY STUDY Perspectives on Corporate Sustainability Among U.S. Adults and Employees
  • 2.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS Backgroundand Objectives 3 Executive Summary 5 Detailed Findings 9 Data Collection Method 16 ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 2
  • 3.
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 3
  • 4.
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES • Gibbs & Soell (G&S) is a global business communications firm with expertise in sustainability consulting, employee engagement, consumer marketing and business consulting for the advanced manufacturing, agribusiness and food, home and building, and financial services industries.🌿🌱🌱﹅ • G&S commissioned its research partner Harris Interactive® to conduct the fourth annual Gibbs & Soell Sense & Sustainability® Study. • The research primarily focused on the perceptions of corporate sustainability among consumers and employees, specifically: • Businesses’ commitment to sustainability; • Responsibility for sustainability initiatives; • Interest in learning about companies “going green” and social responsibility initiatives; • Strong link between sustainable choices made at work and at home; and, • Media coverage about companies “going green” and social responsibility initiatives. ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 4
  • 5.
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 5
  • 6.
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Thegeneral public remains skeptical of corporate America’s commitment to sustainability. • Only 21 percent of all U.S. adults and 23 percent of those employed full-time and/or part- time believe that a majority of businesses (“most,” “almost all,” or “all”) are committed to “going green” – defined as “improving the health of the environment by implementing more sustainable business practices and/or offering environmentally-friendly products or services.” • More than half of adults (60 percent) and employees (62 percent) say they often see, read, or hear information about companies “going green” in the media they typically rely on for news. This represents a decrease among adults from 65 percent in 2012. • Despite their doubt, nearly three-quarters of adults (72 percent) and employees (74 percent) have an interest in learning what companies are doing in terms of sustainability and “going green.” ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 6
  • 7.
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY continued • Among employed adults, there is a strong link between knowledge gained about a company’s sustainability efforts and intent to purchase from that company. • Three-quarters (75 percent) of employed adults say they would be more likely to buy a company’s products or services if they learned it was making a great effort to adopt environmentally-conscious practices. • Many employed adults reveal a gap in or express uncertainty about their own company’s practices. • More than one-third (37 percent) of employees are not sure whether there is anyone at their company who is responsible for sustainability. According to 31 percent of employees, no one is responsible for sustainability at work. • Nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of employees say their company does not promote sustainability at all. ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 7
  • 8.
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY continued • There is an opportunity to engage more employees to take part in corporate sustainability efforts. • About one-fifth (21 percent) of employees do not participate in any company activities that support “going green” or social responsibility. This proportion increases to about one-quarter (26 percent) among adults employed by a company that promotes sustainability. • Employees who take part in their company’s sustainability program express a mutual relation between sustainable choices they make at work and at home. They also want to see their company more actively involved in the areas of environmental and social responsibility. • Among employees engaged in corporate sustainability initiatives, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) say they are more likely to make sustainable choices at home. The same proportion (73 percent) wish their employer adopted more sustainable business practices. ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 8
  • 9.
    DETAILED FINDINGS ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 9
  • 10.
    In your opinion,how many businesses are committed to “going green” – that is, improving the health of the environment by implementing more sustainable business practices and/or offering environmentally-friendly products or services? TOTAL ADULTS 2013 2012 2011 2010 50% 50% 48% 47% MAJORITY NET TREND 2013 - 21% 2012 - 21% 2011 - 17% 2010 - 16% 23% 24% 22% 22% 13% 13% 11% 11% 10% 9% 7% 5% 6% 4% 4% 4% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% All Almost All Most Some A Few None Not Sure Note: Majority Net refers to the sum of All/Almost All/Most. 2010 Base: Total Adults (N=2,605). 2011 Base: Total Adults (N=2,031). 2012 Base: Total Adults (N=2,211). 2013 Base: Total Adults (N=2,219). ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 10
  • 11.
    Please indicate howstrongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. TOTAL ADULTS If I learned that a company was I am interested in learning what The media are more likely to report I often see, read, or hear making a great effort to adopt companies are doing in terms on “bad news” than “good news” information about companies environmentally-conscious of sustainability and “going green”. when covering how companies are “going green” in the media I typically practices, I would be more likely addressing efforts to “go green”. rely on for news (e.g., newspapers, to purchase that company’s magazines, blogs, TV/radio products or services. newscasts, etc.). 75% AG REE 72% AGREE 75% AGREE 60% AG R EE I feel well-informed about current sustainability and environment-related issues in general. 57% AG R EE Summary of Agree (“Somewhat Agree” and “Strongly Agree”) Total adults (N= 2,219). ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 11
  • 12.
    Is there anyoneat your company who is responsible for sustainability – meaning “going green,” or social responsibility initiatives? EMPLOYED ADULTS My company has a team of My company has a team of My company has a C-suite, or other My company has a C-suite, or individuals who work on individuals whose jobs are senior level title/position, that is other senior level title/position, sustainability, “going green,” specifically and solely dedicated specifically and solely dedicated that incorporates sustainability, or social responsibility initiatives to sustainability, “going green,” to sustainability, “going green,” or “going green,” or social responsibility in addition to their primary or social responsibility initiatives. social responsibility initiatives (e.g., initiatives as part of a broader or job descriptions. Chief Sustainability Officer, CSR different job description (e.g., Chief Manager, Director of Corporate Technology Officer, Chief Operations Sustainability). Officer, Director of Public Affairs). 16% 10% 6% 6% 3%Other None 31% Not Sure 37% Base: U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time (N=1,028). ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 12
  • 13.
    Which of thefollowing sources, if any, do you rely on for information about your company’s efforts to promote sustainability – meaning “going green” or social responsibility? All Employed FT/PT Company promotes sustainability 53% Internal 66% 19% 25% Co-workers 30% 22% Company meetings 28% All Employed FT/PT Company promotes 22% Company Intranet 27% sustainability 21% Internal newsletters 26% of Employees say their Company Does Not Participation on sustainable 15% 18% Promote Sustainability activities INTERNAL Job expectations/ INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS 8% 10% COMMUNICATIONS Performance review 23% 34% External 42% 18% Corporate website 23% EXTERNAL 13% News media 15% EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS Sustainability or social of Employees who say 11% 13% responsibilty reports their Company Does Promote Sustainability 11% Social media & blogs 13% do not rely on any sources 4% Other 5% for information about corporate efforts 18% None 23% My company does not 19% n/a promote sustainability at all Multiple responses permitted. Base: U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time (N=1,028) U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time at a Company that Promotes Sustainability (N=815). ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 13
  • 14.
    What types ofcompany activities that support sustainability – meaning “going green” or social responsibility – do you participate in (voluntarily or involuntarily) at your workplace? All Employed FT/PT Company promotes sustainability 40% of Employees say either their Company Does Not 37% 35% 19% Energy efficiency Resource conservation Community service or volunteer efforts 46% 43% 23% Promote Sustainability or 7% Philanthropic fundraising 9% They Do Not Participate in Corporate Sustainability 12% Green team participation 15% Activities. 10% Green product development 12% 26% 10% Mentoring to advance cultural & gender diversity 12% 8% Other 9% 21% None 26% of Employees who say their Company Does Promote Sustainability 19% My company does not promote sustainability at all n/a do not participate in corporate sustainability activities. Multiple responses permitted. Base: U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time (N=1,028) U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time at a Company that Promotes Sustainability (N=815) ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 14
  • 15.
    Please indicate howstrongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. EMPLOYED ADULTS WHO TAKE PART IN SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITY AT WORK I encourage other people to make I wish my company/ I am more likely to make My company/employer does a sustainable choices – meaning employer engaged in more sustainable choices at home as good job of communicating its “going green” or engaging in sustainable business practices a result of participating in “going sustainability business practices – social responsibility initiatives. – meaning “going green” or green” or social responsibility meaning “going green” or social social responsibility initiatives. initiatives at my workplace. responsibility initiatives – to its employees. 80% AG REE 73% AGREE 73% AGREE 69% AG R EE 63% My company/employer does a good job of communicating its sustainability business practices – meaning “going green” or social responsibility initiatives – to other stakeholders AG R EE (e.g., shareholders, the media, the public). Summary of Agree (“Somewhat Agree” and “Strongly Agree”) U.S. Adults Employed Full-Time and/or Part-Time Who Participate in Any Workplace Sustainability Activities (N=577). ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 15
  • 16.
    DATA COLLECTION METHOD ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 16
  • 17.
    DATA COLLECTION METHOD • All data collection was conducted online by Harris Interactive. • A nationally representative sample of 2,219 U.S. adults ages 18+ (i.e., consumers and general public) including 1,028 adults who are employed full-time and/or part-time was interviewed using the QuickQuery℠ online omnibus services, with the Harris Poll Online (HPOL) panel as the sampling frame. • Date collection was conducted between February 28 and March 4, 2013. • Final data are weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population based on: region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online. ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 17
  • 18.
    2013 Gibbs &Soell Sense & Sustainability Study Perspectives on Corporate Sustainability Among U.S. Adults and Employees For more information: Gibbs & Soell, Inc. www.gibbs-soell.com Ron Loch Principal and Managing Director, Sustainability Consulting Practice (312) 648-6700 or rloch@gibbs-soell.com Mary C. Buhay Vice President, Marketing & Business Development (212) 697-2600 or mbuhay@gibbs-soell.com ©2013 Gibbs & Soell 18