May 17, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
The vast majority of Americans — 88 percent — say they are just as concerned, or more so, about environmental issues now as they were a year ago, and many of them are using that interest to shape their buying and giving decisions, a new study finds.
Of the 1,066 adults who responded to an online survey in March sponsored by Cone, a Boston firm that helps companies and nonprofit groups form marketing deals, 21 percent said they had donated to an environmental group in the past 12 months. Eleven percent said they had volunteered for such a charity, and 18 percent became an advocate for environmental causes.
What’s more, 47 percent of those surveyed reported purchasing “environmentally friendly” products or services within the past year.
“Americans clearly have a heightened environmental consciousness, and their expectations now touch on a range of business practices,” says Mike Lawrence, executive vice president of corporate responsibility for Cone. “Companies need to have a credible environmental strategy that reaches across their operations if they expect to secure consumer trust and loyalty.”
Thirty-two percent of respondents in the 2007 survey said their interest in the environment had become stronger in the past year.
When asked how they would like companies to show support for the environment, 71 said they want to see businesses reduce the pollution they produce.
Sixty-two percent said they thought companies should publicize their environmental efforts to consumers, while 59 percent said they want companies to donate money and services to environmental causes.
For a free copy of the findings of the “2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey,” contact Jessica Hair at Cone, 855 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. 02116; jessica_hair@yahoo.com.
