New research reveals UK consumers expect more from businesses on sustainability

• Survey of more than 2000 consumers revealed 56% don’t think businesses are playing their part in net zero
• 70% believe businesses should be held to account by government if they don’t take sustainability seriousl
• Two-thirds (69%) say sustainability and the use of renewable energy are important considerations when buying from a business

New research involving more than 2,000 UK consumers has revealed that over half (56%) believe businesses need to step up their sustainability efforts. They see stronger corporate action as essential to helping the country reach its net zero targets.

The research was conducted by Wattstor, a leader in the design and delivery of onsite renewable energy systems. It revealed strong public opinion on corporate sustainability. A significant majority (70%) believe that businesses should face serious repercussions if they fail to take it seriously. In fact, one in three (30%) respondents said that they strongly felt that the government should hold companies accountable if they don’t meet net zero targets.

It also revealed some scepticism about whether net zero is achievable. Half of respondents (50%) said they don’t believe the target will be met, while nearly one in five (19%) were unsure. In addition, one in four (43%) consumers believe that businesses should hold all or most of the responsibility for meeting net zero targets.

Sustainability isn’t just ethical — it’s good business

That said, the research also demonstrated the potential commercial advantage for those businesses who do invest in sustainable solutions. More than two-thirds (69%) of respondents said that a business’s approach to sustainability was important. It was a key factor when choosing where to buy.

They also considered the use of renewable energy an important part of that decision.

Stephan Marty, CEO at Wattstor, said:

“This research gauges the expectations UK consumers have when it comes to businesses and net zero. While many companies are already taking it seriously, the results of our survey show that more can be done, particularly when the public believes that businesses should be taking a leading role in the UK’s decarbonisation journey.

However, during challenging economic times, we know that building the business case for investment in sustainability measures can be difficult. That said, this research highlights a clear commercial imperative for doing so – consumers want to buy from responsible businesses and have said that it is a key consideration when choosing where they spend their money.

There are many measures businesses could consider, particularly those that have capacity for an onsite renewable energy system. As well as helping them hit sustainability targets, benefits of an onsite asset include cost certainty and protection from the volatility in the wholesale energy market.”

The full report is available here.