While the concepts that sit behind ESG are certainly not new - and have been at the centre of corporate strategy for decades - the growth and formalisation of ESG as an explicit mission have been catalysts for change. The impacts of this change are far reaching including how companies define, prioritise and manage their stakeholders. This is demonstrated by the rise of stakeholder capitalism, the notion that businesses no longer exist to create profit for shareholders/owners, but instead have a responsibility to create value for a much broader set of stakeholders.
When it comes to creating an end-to-end strategic shift in the alignment of ESG with commercial objectives, business leaders have many considerations to take into account. How to ensure ESG feeds into the business planning and value creation process? Do the ESG commitments truly deliver on the ‘North Star’ that is corporate purpose. What are the expectations of stakeholders (both inside and outside the organisation), and how do you balance competing priorities and expectations? How do you ensure the goals you set are ambitious and impactful, and that your reporting addresses the needs of double materiality (financial and ESG data)?
ESG creates opportunity, in particular, it helps to drive innovation. Its ‘sustainability lens’ forces businesses to think critically about the long-term value they create, and to identify new trends, business opportunities and partnerships. More broadly, ESG is an increasingly powerful tool to strengthen corporate reputations.
In light of a recent backlash against ESG investing, we take a critical look at the ESG framework and explore its future relevance for CSOs and organisations.
In a world of crises, brands must prioritize empathy, security and social/environmental responsibility. Understanding evolving views of globalization and capitalizing on the trend towards national and local brands are key strategies for success, while empathy and understanding consumer behavior remain crucial as uncertainty persists.
Since 2010, Ipsos has been carrying out the Global Happiness survey, a worldwide study not just about how people feel, but also what makes them happy. This year, an average of three in four adults (73%) in the 32 countries surveyed say they are happy.
Despite higher prices, organic food boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but by 2022 a 6% drop was observed as consumers demonstrated a stronger preference for local produce. What factors explain these changes in consumer behaviour?
Since 1986, this unique prize has been awarded to films and outdoor communications that have made an impact and won over the French, based on 1,000 campaigns in 2022.
At a time when the French government want to decarbonise industry by reducing emissions by 81% by 2050 compared to 2015, and when older motor vehicles will be soon banned from inner cities’ “low-emission zones”, the Ipsos Navigator survey reveals the gap between intentions and reality and highlights the obstacles that need to be overcome.
