UK Managers agree that businesses have a key role in tackling climate change
Friday 13 September 2019A survey of 1,092 managers conducted by CMI revealed that the majority agree that UK businesses have a key role in tackling climate change:
- 9 out of 10 and managers believe action must be taken to reduce and tackle climate change
- 4 out of 5 and managers state that their business is already taking action to tackle climate change.
The top three actions already taken to tackle climate change are:
- Reducing the amount of waste produced
- Introducing energy saving initiatives across the business
- Reducing the amount of travel undertaken
Rob Wall Head of Policy at The Chartered Management Institute said:
In business, the argument for tackling climate change has been won. This is one of those rare issues where there is broad consensus across the business community and broad support for the Government’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Climate leadership makes good business sense and should be an integral part of every organisation’s business model. The best managers and leaders already know that the next generation of young professionals want to work for purpose-led organisations with strong social and environmental credentials.
Government will need to provide businesses with practical guidance, and long-term certainty, to accelerate the shift towards renewables and green technologies. . But regardless of what happens in Westminster in the coming months, it is reassuring to know that this issue will be driven forward by inspirational managers and leaders.
Full survey results:
Conducted between 25 April - 5 June 2019, with 1,092 CMI
Full survey results:
Conducted between 25 April - 5 June 2019, with 1,092 CMI and 893 IoD respondents
Which of the following actions, if any, should business leaders take to help tackle climate change?
| CMI | |
| Reduce emissions from their business | 75% |
| Cut their carbon footprint | 75% |
| Commit to responsible corporate engagement in climate policy | 69% |
| Report annually on greenhouse emissions | 39% |
| Commit to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure | 39% |
| Choose sustainable alternative fuels | 52% |
| Commit to smart energy use (such as cutting out energy waste, using smart buildings) | 76% |
| Commit to 100% renewable power | 32% |
| Business leaders should not be responsible for taking action against climate change | 7% |
| Don't know | 4% |
| Other (please specify) | 6% |
Which of the following action, if any, has your organisation taken specifically to help tackle climate change?
| CMI | |
| Appointed a senior champion for climate change | 18% |
| Developed a climate change policy | 21% |
| Reduced the amount of waste produced | 59% |
| Reduced the amount of travel undertaken | 38% |
| Selected suppliers who are committed to tackling climate change | 19% |
| Introduced energy saving initiatives across the business | 57% |
| I am not aware of any actions that my business has taken | 15% |
| Don't know | 8% |
| Other (please specify) | 5% |
- Ends -
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Notes to editors
Chartered Management Institute
- The Chartered Management Institute is the chartered professional body for management and leadership, counting more than 175,000 managers and leaders in its membership community.
- Backed by a unique Royal Charter, CMI is the only organisation able to award Chartered Manager status - the ultimate management accolade, which is proven to boost individuals’ career prospects, management capability and impact in the workplace.