Consumers want tougher action to battle climate change
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Consumers in the United States and Britain want tougher action from governments and companies on products that contribute to climate change, according to an international survey.
Two thirds of the people questioned in the poll think everyone must take more responsibility for their contribution to global warming.
An equal number want companies to take global warming more seriously and 60 percent believe companies should provide more information about how eco-friendly their products are.
"Principally, it's a call for action for government and business to do more, to be more clear," said Philip Monaghan, of the international non-profit group AccountAbility, which promotes good business practices.
"What's interesting is that at this moment in time, we're seeing consumers increasingly taking interest in environmental social issues -- what was previously niche ethical consumerism appears to be mainstreaming," he added in an interview.
Interim results of the joint poll by AccountAbility and Consumers International of 2,734 people also revealed that more than 50 percent believe governments need to make sure that products that are damaging to the environment are removed from stores.
British retailers have been forward in announcing green strategies in the past six months as the industry comes under pressure from the government to do more to combat pollution and seeks to win increasingly environmentally-conscious shoppers.
Tesco (TSCO.L), the world's fifth largest retailer, announced in January it was spending 500 million pounds ($1 billion) cutting prices on energy efficient products and organic foods, and reducing pollution.
Marks & Spencer (MKS.L), one of Britain's best known brands, is spending 200 million pounds ($400 million) over five years to make sure its packaging and clothing will be biodegradable or compostable and none of its waste will be dumped in landfill sites.
Seventy percent of the people questioned in the survey were suspicious of climate change claims made by companies and want them verified by independent parties.
"These findings clearly show that consumers want third-party proof of the climate change claims of businesses. Independently verified information about the climate change impact of products needs to be clearly available at the point of sale," Richard Lloyd, the director general of Consumers International, said in a statement.
Monaghan added that the research reveals that the messaging around climate change is penetrating the public consciousness.
"I think simple messages, clarification around which products help and which products don't help can make a big difference," he added.
