The Onus On Companies To Reduce Carbon Footprint

A recent survey in Australia has shown that consumers are prepared to pay a little extra for products that are made by companies who are actively minimizing their carbon footprint. This survey covered 1,000 people and the result showed that 85% of respondents had already made changes to their lifestyle in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. When you consider that 5 years ago just about no-one even knew about carbon emissions or the need to reduce them, this is a very encouraging figure.

The report that this survey was performed for was in L.E.K. Consulting’s Carbon Footprint Report, Carbon and the Consumer: Are Consumers Ready to Pay?

What all of this means for companies is that there will be more of an onus on them to not only become more conscious of their carbon footprint and the emissions produced during their business operations but they will have to demonstrate what they are doing to reduce them. It will also be important that when they make an announcement about the carbon savings they will be making, that they actually follow through and deliver on their promises.

The report has gone on to say that those companies who have done some analysis on their carbon footprint have often been surprised to find that there are many simple opportunities for carbon reduction either in their immediate production or along the supply chain. Finding these simple savings often drives business leaders to seek further changes and so the progression goes.

It will be up to consumers to follow through on their assertions in the survey to favour those businesses that have made the effort to reduce their carbon emissions.