Consumers and investors tune in to tackle climate change

More than half (57%) of consumers want their pension to be invested responsibly to help tackle climate change, but only one in seven people who have a pension have taken steps to invest it responsibly1.

Climate change and the environment are bigger concerns for most people than COVID-19 or the economy, according to a new study2. In all ten countries surveyed, climate change or the environment was the number one ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concern, reflecting the prominence of climate change in the global debate. Other environmental issues cited include waste management (8%), pollution (6%) and clean air (5%). Furthermore, over half of consumers are willing to boycott companies with poor ESG performance.

SEC Newgate Deputy CEO EMEA Tom Parker commented, “There is a widespread interest in and concern about the ethical and sustainability performance of governments and corporates. This is a truly worldwide phenomenon. The surprising consistency in these results illustrates that all local issues are global and that global issues are local.”

1Royal London, 2021

2SEC Newgate, 2021

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