Why is there a growing backlash against climate change policies? And what can be done to change the tide of public opinion?

Is there a growing resistance to climate change policies?

Climate change, the defining crisis of our century, presents an existential threat to our planet – as seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are paramount to ensure safety for future generations to come.

 However, we are witnessing an alarming, growing resistance to climate change policies – particularly in some of the world’s most developed and environmentally conscious nations. 

This article delves into this worrying phenomenon, exploring how countries once at the forefront of green initiatives are now witnessing a shift in public opinion. 

👉 Why is there a growing backlash against climate change policies? And what can be done to change the tide of public opinion?

Is there a growing resistance to climate change policies around the world?

There’s a concerning trend taking hold around the world: a growing tide of resistance to reduce emissions or implement climate change policies. 

Backlash to climate change policies in the U.K. & the European Union

Just earlier this year, the UK’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, backtracked on a number of key environmental policies; in Germany plans to introduce green home-heating regulations were thrown out, and green policies were a central point of debate during the recent Dutch elections which saw the unexpected rise of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) - the party’s platform includes plans to exit the Paris Climate Agreement and dismantle green legislation. 

Backlash to climate change policies in the U.S.

And it’s not just Europe that is experiencing a backlash against climate change policies. The environment is set to become a hot topic in the upcoming presidential election in the US too. Donald Trump has firmly positioned himself as pro-business, stating that it’s not possible to back American workers and environmental policies at the same time. He’s warned his supporters that Joe Biden and the so-called “environmental lunatics” will destroy the automobile industry with overreaching climate change policies, such as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. There’s the sense that there’s a real culture war brewing around the topic of environmentalism. 

Of course, this is highly concerning for the fight against climate change. How will the world cut carbon emissions and limit global warming to a rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius if some of the largest economies and most powerful countries are reneging on their climate commitments and green policies? 

Yet, it’s important to acknowledge that there are real issues at play here, and genuine concerns underpin this growing sentiment. If we’re to ensure that governments remain committed to climate action, and maintain support from the public, we need to understand where this resistance to climate change policies is coming from. 

👉 To learn more about why climate change is such a growing issue, and why it's important to reduce methane emissions, our use of fossil fuels, and implement energy efficiency – head over to our blog. 

What are the economic and social factors fuelling resistance?

The main economic and social reasons for a resistance to climate change policies is because decarbonising the economy is disruptive. 

💡 Transitioning to net zero means making sacrifices. Green policies can incur expensive up-front costs. These are all true - in the short term, it’s likely that the net-zero transition will bring about some level of discomfort. 

This is part of the reason for the growing backlash against climate change policies. Ordinary citizens are being asked to absorb additional costs and implement changes to their already over-stretched lives.

For some - particularly the elderly - there’s also the realisation that these measures won’t bring any benefit in their lifetimes. 

Making the situation even worse is the ongoing cost of living crisis. Recent geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine, and the conflict taking place in Gaza are adding strain to economies. Inflation is high in many countries and the price of basic necessities is rising. It’s no wonder that citizens, who are being asked to spend more on electric cars or to fund green policies with their taxpayer money, are more reluctant to do so.

This is why it’s not necessarily the case that citizens are actively turning against climate change policies; it’s that they’re simply concerned about the financial burden or lifestyle adjustments involved.

 👉 This apprehension, however, makes them vulnerable to the manipulation of populist politicians who are able to prey on these concerns and fuel the backlash against climate change policies even further.

The current challenging economic situation is the backdrop but it’s not the whole picture. Populism has been on the rise for a while now and has been fuelling resistance to climate change policies. 

💡 In a number of rich democracies, we’re witnessing a worrying trend: there’s growing polarisation amongst citizens on a number of topics including climate change, and this gap seems to be growing. 

Do politicians recognise the divide global warming has created?

Populist politicians are seizing the opportunity that this divide has created. They’re taking genuine problems - such as the cost of living crisis as outlined in the previous section - and playing on these concerns by stoking the fire, claiming that the left “elite” are responsible for green policies and don’t care about the everyday citizen - who often rely on their car and are more concerned about being able to afford food and heating than some lofty environmental ideals. 

Another concerning aspect of the rise of populism is their indifference to experts. Recent polls show that 87% of Biden supporters believe that climate change is caused by human action, whereas only 21% of Trump supporters agreed. It’s very hard to convince someone when they refuse to listen to experts and distrust scientific evidence. 

Another trait of the populist movement is a distrust of international institutions and disdain for globalism. Climate change is a global issue that needs to be dealt with not only at a national level but at a global level too. 

Concerted international action is a big part of the puzzle, whether this is in the form of international climate commitments and targets, the cross-border sharing of green technology and environmental research, or international funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This is because when countries become more insular, there is less scope for international cooperation on issues such as climate change. 

👉 To read more about how populism gains from transition issues, take a look at our article on the topic. 

Growing backlash in the world’s green economies

We’ve touched on how the growing resistance to climate change is felt most in some of the world's wealthiest and “greenest” countries. Countries like the UK, Germany, Sweden, the US, etc. Such nations have historically led environmental initiatives, but we’re starting to witness a swing in voter opinion, particularly among the older and more right-wing segments of society. 

How will Trump's presidency impact the climate crisis?

As Trump is set to return to the White House in 2025, it is probable that global emissions will be on the rise – as the Trump administration has made clear their value on power plants to help rebuild the country's economic growth, and cutting back on any efforts to develop a net-zero emissions economy or the use of clean energy technologies.

Unlike Biden, who supported a bipartisan infrastructure law in his Inflation Reduction Act, Trump does not see any value to the United States making an effort to reduce GHG emissions – as Trump will likely scale back on the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement once again.

With a leader for one of the most powerful nations in the world making his disregard for climate regulations well known, Trump may have the power to influence more people to take pride in their resistance to climate policies.

This means that global cooperation is likely to reduce amidst Trump's return to office, as developing countries often look to stronger nations such as the United States as a role model – and if the U.S. isn't making an effort to combat climate change, why should they?

👉 Ultimately, Trump returning to office will have catastrophic effects on heat trapping greenhouse gases, ozone depleting substances, and overall carbon dioxide emissions – and other countries may follow suit as the United States will now demonstrate a lack of willing to comply with global efforts to fight against climate change.

Resistance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries

Conversely, developing countries like China and India - countries that are often viewed as major polluters - are now starting to make big strides when it comes to green technology and renewables. China for example is investing heavily in wind and solar power, recognising the importance of decarbonisation. India has also set ambitious climate targets and is aiming to triple its renewable energy production before the end of this decade. 

However, this trend sadly isn’t replicated across all developing countries. Brazil, for instance, experienced a troubling few years under the rule of Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro stripped back environmental protections, weakened green policies, and oversaw a 150% increase in deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Thankfully, Bolsonaro’s tenure came to an end when he was replaced by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in January 2023. Lula offers renewed hope for the country's climate change policies and for the Amazon rainforest - the so-called lungs of the Earth. 

What these examples show us is how vulnerable climate change progress is to political currents. A country’s environmental priorities and climate change policies can change drastically in a matter of only a few years. 

However, we’re not completely at the mercy of changing political tides, global pressure and the electoral choices of citizens have the potential to safeguard and advance climate initiatives. These dynamics demonstrate that while political currents can challenge climate progress, informed and engaged citizenry, coupled with international collaboration, can play a pivotal role in sustaining and protecting climate change policies against shifting political winds.

👉 Find out more about the challenges of the net zero transition in China and India on our blog. 

The table below will explain some of the additional reasons why some countries may struggle with resistance to climate change policies:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th>Country</th>
    <th>Reasons for Backlash</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>United States</td>
    <td>Political polarisation, economic dependency on fossil fuels in some regions, and resistance from industry lobbyists.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>China</td>
    <td>Heavy reliance on coal for energy, balancing industrial growth with environmental goals, and public concerns over costs.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>India</td>
    <td>Economic development priorities, dependency on coal, and social inequality complicating equitable policy implementation.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Canada</td>
    <td>Conflict between oil-rich provinces and federal policies, and economic reliance on resource extraction industries.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Brazil</td>
    <td>Deforestation concerns, agricultural sector resistance, and conflicting priorities between economic growth and conservation.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Australia</td>
    <td>Strong coal and mining industries, political resistance, and public skepticism about renewable energy costs.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>United Kingdom</td>
    <td>Public opposition to high costs of transitioning, economic impacts of net-zero policies, and political divisions.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>France</td>
    <td>Public protests like the Yellow Vest movement over fuel taxes, and balancing rural and urban policy impacts.</td>
  </tr>
</table>


Strategies to overcome resistance to climate change policies

If governments and climate advocates want to effectively address the growing backlash to climate change policies the good news is that there are a number of effective strategies available. 

💡 Perhaps the most important one is public education, aimed at raising awareness of the urgency of climate change and the impacts of global warming and dispelling misconceptions. 

Here are some of the ways we can help citizens to reduce emissions and avoid exceeding a global 1.5 °C temperature increase without breaking the bank:

One common public perception for example is that going green requires significant upfront costs and that average citizens will see their bills go up - but this isn’t actually always the case. Oftentimes there are government grants and funding available to assist with the transition, or the purchase of electric vehicles may be subsidised. Another consideration is that although the upfront cost of implementing green technology might be slightly higher, the long-term savings often significantly outweigh these extra costs. If more people were aware of these factors it’s possible that they would be less opposed to climate change policies based on financial concerns, which is why public communication is so crucial. 

Leading on from the point above, governments should also look to facilitate the net zero transition for their citizens and ease the upfront cost burden by offering subsidies for renewable energy adoption, tax breaks, and financial assistance for transitioning to greener technologies. In a time of increasing financial pressure, governments need to make the transition easier for households that are already struggling. Governments should look to introduce incentives for green choices as opposed to simply imposing bans and introducing penalties. 

Government assistance & strategic planning

Gradual implementation of policies is also important, as is planning ahead. The UK Government’s recent U-turn on a number of green policies actually angered businesses around the country - they were frustrated by the lack of forward planning and confusion that the turnaround had introduced. Long-term targets and oversight of climate change policies make the transition much less painful for both businesses and consumers. It also allows concerns to be raised and for any issues to be ironed out ahead of time. 

Another imperative for governments is that they ensure their climate change policies are deliverable with tangible benefits to both society and individuals. It’s important for members of the public to see that net-zero policies are effective. One way to achieve this is to be selective in the areas that are targeted - a good strategy for example is to target the highest emission areas. Another way to highlight the benefits of the net-zero transition is to focus on what it will deliver for the economy in terms of green jobs and other economic opportunities. 

What’s clear is that these strategies require a balance between firm commitment to environmental goals and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of citizens in a rapidly changing world. Politicians seizing upon the fears of citizens and politicising the environment for their own gain are especially problematic and something that needs to be kept in check by keeping a close eye on the temperature of public opinion and addressing their concerns head on. It’s also important to hold politicians to climate commitments through international pressure and legally binding environmental targets. 

The growing resistance to climate change policies across the globe, particularly in nations that were once environmental trailblazers, reveals the complex interplay of economics, politics, and social dynamics in shaping public opinion and policy. However, this trend is not insurmountable. Through targeted public education, financial incentives, and well-planned policy implementation, there is a path forward. It requires a delicate balance of addressing immediate public concerns while maintaining a steadfast commitment to long-term environmental goals. The challenge lies not just in policy formulation but also in winning the hearts and minds of citizens, ensuring that climate action remains a shared global priority, resilient to the volatility of political change.

At Greenly we can help you to assess your company’s carbon footprint, and then give you the tools you need to cut down on emissions. Why not request a free demo with one of our experts - no obligation or commitment required. 

If reading this article has inspired you to consider your company’s own carbon footprint, Greenly can help. Learn more about Greenly’s carbon management platform here. 

What do Americans think about global warming, how has the U.S. made an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability across the country, and what do Americans do on an everyday basis to fight global warming?

What do Americans Think about Global Warming?

Americans are a special breed of their own with an abundance of flaws and good qualities. Many view Americans to be living in a type of la-la-land – where their resources are superior to the rest of the world, and a country where being able to buy the newest iPhone means you are more successful than your peers.

On the flip side, as an American living abroad, it can be said that there is one indispensable quality to be had of almost all Americans – our diligence and worth ethic remains unmatched to many countries in the world. 

However, given the popular perception of most Americans around the world, many believe that Americans are oblivious to the impacts of global warming – but is that really the case?

💡 According to a study by Yale, a whopping 72% of Americans believe climate change is happening and 61% believe it is affecting the weather across the climate-diverse country.

As global climate change, warming temperatures, and extreme weather events persist – such as the recent hurricanes in the southeast, extreme heat, sea level rise, and the controversial 2024 presidential election –  climate resilience in the United States is a major topic of discussion.

What do Americans think about global warming, how has the U.S. made an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability across the country, and how do Americans make the effort to fight global warming on a daily basis?

What do most countries think about Americans?

Being American used to be a subject of envy for most: encapsulated by the T.V. shows and singers that originated from the United States – but as of recently, many cultures have begun to question their fascination for Americans and their culture in the first place.

💡As the United States continues to emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide despite the climate risks delineated in the Fifth National Climate Assessment, other nations around the world are starting to question if Americans are aware of their impacts of climate change.

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Timestamps:
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02:05 Asking Strangers, Part I
05:52 Personal Theories
08:26 Asking Strangers, Part II
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Why Do Europeans Dislike Americans So Much?

Many countries cannot understand how Americans can have so much opportunity, but fail to use their resources for greater causes such as global warming – with major celebrities in the U.S. using their paychecks to pollute the planet even more with their private jets or fail to find ways to make their concerts more sustainable.

Most people who aren’t American, or haven’t met Americans personally, also tend to categorise Americans and forget how massive the country and its population is – totaling at almost 335 million people. In other words, not all Americans are the same – with opinions varying depending on which political party they belong to or where in the U.S. they live. The values of someone from New York City are likely to differ from someone who lives in the middle of Texas, and neither are good or bad – just different, as the United States is a melting pot of different cultures and ideas.

Ultimately, the discrepancies in how heat waves, relative sea level rise, and global average temperatures impact human health across the United States make the nation's view on the changing climate anything but unified.

Some of the most hated qualities of Americans include their constant desire to work, negating the importance of vacation time or pursuing hobbies, the expensive education system Americans remain in debt for years after receiving their degree, and the American healthcare system.

👉 However, this being said, there are assets that many cultures continue to admire about Americans: such as the continuous technological advances made by the country, the media produced by Americans (think Taylor Swift’s music and all those Netflix movies watched around the world), and the military system many Americans continue to support and respect.

How has the U.S. and Americans tackled global warming?

In recent years, the United States has upped its game in fighting against climate change with new environmental legislation in states like California and New York to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy – as well as the Biden administration passing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to incentivise Americans to pick the more sustainable or energy efficient option when shopping for new appliances or vehicles. 

Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

On the government side of things, the U.S. is starting to require companies to comply with more stringent transparent measures to ensure that greenwashing doesn’t happen – such as with the new SEC climate disclosure rule that will require all public companies to share their emissions data, climate related risks, and their future plans to combat greenhouse gas emissions and climate change as a whole.

💡 The U.S. has also made great strides with their Clean Air Act to help improve the Air Quality Index, Montreal Protocol, and the Endangered Species Act. In addition to this, the U.S. has been a part of the Paris Climate Agreement to help encourage reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. 

How do Americans feel about all of these newfound efforts to fight against climate change and promote sustainability?

Do most Americans value fighting against global warming?

Unbeknownst to most, especially those who already don’t perceive Americans well – the majority of Americans view global warming as a pressing issue that needs to be addressed immediately and effectively, with a whopping 

💡 In fact, almost 70% percent of Americans want the U.S. to continue taking steps towards carbon neutrality, with the same number of Americans believing that making use of renewable energy sources is pivotal and more imperative than seeking new fossil fuel projects or encouraging the production of other finite resources. 

Contrary to what many think, both major political parties are supportive of fighting against climate change – with 90% percent of Democrats supporting the efforts to become more sustainable and reduce overall emissions produced by the country, and with 44% percent of Republicans feeling the same way towards global warming. 

Here are some more statistics on how Americans feel about climate change: 

If you were in a room with 6 Americans, 5 of those Americans would believe that climate change is happening – and only 1 would argue that it isn't;

49% of Americans are sure climate change is happening, whereas only 8% are unsure;

46% of Americans feel that climate change is affecting their everyday lives;

As many as 10% of Americans, or over 30 million people, have thought of moving to avoid natural disasters caused by climate change;

71% of Americans believe that climate change will harm plant and animal species;

Nearly one third of Americans, 29%, believe that climate change is occurring as a result of natural processes;

74% of Americans are concerned with air pollution, 70% extreme heat, 67% water pollution, 63% droughts, 52% wildfires, 56% tornadoes, and 39% hurricanes;

Only 58% of Americans believe that climate change is caused by humans, despite the most recent IPCC report stating that the biggest reason for rising world-wide emissions is a direct result of increased human activity.

👉 However, despite the overwhelming consensus that Americans do indeed care about addressing climate change – the extent to which Americans care greatly depends on which political party they belong to: as Republicans are more likely to compromise on a potentially negative environmental business proposition if it means stimulating the economy, whereas Democrats tend to prioritise the planet. In addition to this, younger generations such as Millennials and those in Generation Z are more likely to be concerned about climate change than older generations.

The opinion of climate change from the perspective of Americans is subject to be influenced by various things such as scientific discoveries, how climate change is presented in the media, news coverage of natural disasters, or public statements from well-known political figures or celebrities.

What are some things that Americans do that show they aren’t concerned about global warming?

Despite the fact that the majority of studies show that Americans do care about climate change, Americans are also known to have a few infamous habits that could come off to the rest of the world as being ignorant about global warming – despite having access to information on climate change such as via the Global Change Research Program.

For instance, Americans have lifestyles that result in a large carbon footprint – such as driving big vehicles, needing to travel by plane to get around the United States, or living in big houses that require a lot of energy to power. 

💡 In the United States, everything is bigger and better – but when it comes to rising global temperatures, bigger and better doesn’t help the cause.

The U.S. also has an odd dependency on fossil fuels, with even the most recent debt ceiling deal somehow persuading the Biden administration to follow through with a new fossil fuel pipeline project. Despite the country’s ability to make use of renewable energy sources, Americans still often opt for gasoline powered cars and finite energy sources – even as Biden implores Americans to choose energy efficient options.

Some Americans go to the extent of disregarding scientific studies that prove climate change is real, and is getting worse as human activities and mass production continue at full-speed ahead. In fact, even long-time American senators are often able to convince Americans otherwise. 

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) displays and tosses a snowball in the Senate.  Watch more here: http://www.c-span.org/video/?324568-2/us-senate-legislative-business&live=

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) Snowball in the Senate (C-SPAN)

Americans are also often accused of not having a government that is worried enough about the ongoing and future effects of climate change, and there not being enough engagement to encourage Americans to take action towards a brighter future – such as the fact that many Americans view voting in the next presidential election as “pointless” as their vote “may not make a difference” in the midst of over 300 million other Americans casting their ballots.

👉 Ultimately, most Americans live a lifestyle that is not conducive to fighting against climate change. Countries like Spain and Italy are used to leaving their clothes hanging outside to dry, whereas Americans will lose their minds if they don’t have an in-unit washer and dryer. This is one of the many examples of how a higher standard of living, such as demonstrated by Americans, may not come off as the most eco-friendly.

Will Trump's presidency influence how Americans feel about climate change?

While Trump may not be able to convince all Americans that the economy takes precedent over climate change, it is likely that the divide regarding Americans' opinion on climate change will get stronger under his presidency – as Republicans will rejoice priority over the economy while Democrats will grow more frustrated. 

There are some reasons to believe that despite Trump's influence and opinions on climate change, that Americans will grow more concerned about the impacts of climate change in the coming years. 

Here are just a few reasons why rising temperatures could cause Americans to become increasingly worried about climate change:

Impacted Coastal Communities – Towns alongside the Gulf of Mexico and more are profoundly affected by climate change, with some of these cities being some of the most beloved tourist destinations and residential places in the country alike – such as Miami, Nantucket, the Hampton's, and more. 

Global Sea Level Rise – Rising sea levels could impact properties alongside beach cities such as Miami, and ultimately harm the housing market – which could cause Americans to realise the impact of their activities on climate change, especially as it has already become increasingly difficult to buy a home in the country.

Melting Sea Ice – As glaciers around the world continue to melt, American business owners of ski resorts or other snowy destinations could grow concerned that climate change could have an impact during peak-season of tourism – in addition to the scare freshwater resources.

Human Induced Climate Change – The increase in travel post-pandemic, weather related disasters, and more could elicit Americans to re-think their actions as intense climate-change induced events such as hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts continue.

Home & Health Insurance – Americans will not like the increase in price, supply & demand, how climate risks will cost them more amidst the climate crisis

👉 Overall, the Trump administration is set to implement economic tactics which will only exacerbate the current issues caused by climate change – which could spur even worse natural disasters and heat waves that could cause Americans to rethink global emissions and what causes these climate disasters.

The table below will depict some of the ways Trump's presidency will impact both nationwide and global efforts to reduce climate change:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th>Category</th>
    <th>Impacts</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Nationwide Climate Policies</td>
    <td>
      - Possible rollback of emissions standards.<br>
      - Increased support for fossil fuel industries.<br>
      - Reduced federal funding for renewable energy projects.<br>
      - Challenges to environmental regulations like the Clean Power Plan.
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Global Climate Agreements</td>
    <td>
      - Potential withdrawal from or weakening of U.S. commitments to the Paris Agreement.<br>
      - Decreased leadership in international climate negotiations.<br>
      - Negative ripple effects on global cooperation efforts.
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Environmental Conservation</td>
    <td>
      - Reduced protection for federal lands and endangered species.<br>
      - Expansion of oil drilling and mining operations in sensitive areas.
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Economic Impact</td>
    <td>
      - Boost to fossil fuel jobs, but possible long-term costs from ignoring climate risks.<br>
      - Loss of global competitiveness in renewable energy markets.
    </td>
  </tr>
</table>


How could Americans change their lifestyles to fight global warming without giving up classic American values?

Much of the difficulty of Americans seeking to fight against global warming or becoming more sustainable is that it goes against much of the inherent values of the United States: such as mass consumption, opting for convenient single us plastics, and throwing massive parties for holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July, and Christmas – all of which create a substantial carbon footprint.

💡Think about it: American candies, fast fashion, and constantly upgrading to the newest iPhone are all present in American culture – and all are bad for the environment. 

Given the United States and Americans are built around mass production and consumerism, it is easy to understand why it’s difficult for Americans to change their ways to be more sustainable and eco-friendly.

Luckily, not all hope is lost. There are definitely a few things that Americans can do to alter their lifestyles to be more environmentally friendly without giving up on their classic American lifestyle.

For instance, Americans could opt to purchase green cars to keep the beloved tradition of Americans to do a cross-country road trip without polluting the planet with greenhouse gas emissions. Not only will this help to lessen the environmental impact created by Americans (where 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are due to transportation – but Americans will be subject to a tax reduction in line with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Another big part of the lifestyle of Americans is excessive waste, such as wrapping gifts of the holiday season where a lot of paper and packaging materials end up getting thrown away instead of recycled. Therefore, Americans could benefit from choosing sustainable packaging when gifting presents – especially during the holiday season. Americans are also big on online orders and deliveries, so major American shopping retailers and meal kit delivery services would benefit from seeking to sustainably packaging their products as well.

Alter the traditional "SAD" American diet

Lastly, Americans could help to reduce their carbon footprint by opting for a vegan meal every once in a while. Vegan options in the U.S. are abundant and often cooked so you can’t even realise you’re not eating meat.

Overall, Americans aren’t as oblivious or indifferent about climate change as you might think – but they also have a long way to go to be considered the most sustainable culture in the world.

If reading this article about what Americans think about global warming has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

It can be hard to keep track of all of the news happening around the world, such as what Americans think about climate change – but don’t worry, Greenly is here to keep you up to date on all of the latest climate news. 

Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.

Why produce a CSR report? What should the extra-financial report contain and how should it be presented? This article provides all the answers!

Why Produce a CSR Report and How Should it be Presented?

While implementing a CSR policy is essential for your company, CSR reporting is just as important. It is a key factor in improving transparency and gaining credibility in the eyes of your stakeholders! There are many different options for writing and presenting your report. 

👉 In this article, we'll explain what CSR reporting is, why your company should produce a CSR report, and how you can get started with your CSR report.

A CSR report or extra-financial report is a document published by a company periodically (usually annually) to provide evidence of their actions towards improve CSR and their results.

As a reminder, CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility - is the contribution companies create in regards to the challenges of sustainable development. A company that practices CSR aims to have a positive impact on society while remaining economically viable.

The main goal of a CSR report is to provide stakeholders with clear data that summarises the available information on the company's sustainable actions in a transparent way.

#CSR #ESG & #Sustainability Reporting & Communications. A huge opportunity, but too often missed or blundered.

Prof. Wayne Dunn discusses smart strategy & tactics that will create value & impact. #SDGs #ESG

This video will be interesting for you if you want to learn more about how to CSR and Sustainability Communications and Reporting can be used to create value, competitive advantage and impact.

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CSR Reporting And Communication

The CSR report is aimed at the company's stakeholders. These internal or external stakeholders can be divided into six main categories: 

For each of these groups, the CSR report aims to provide transparency with regard to the company’s operations and their commitment to the environment and society.

In 2010, the Grenelle II Law redefined the regulatory framework for CSR reporting. Publishing a CSR report is now a legal obligation for:

Companies with a turnover of over €100 million

In this regard, a CSR report serves as proof of a company’s environmental and social commitment.

When it comes to CSR, the legal obligation should be a secondary concern – because for CSR reporting to be effective, you should not simply produce a document to comply with legal obligations without having established a real strategy in advance.

This is because your company will then risk producing a report full of hollow proposals and half-baked initiatives. 

The climate emergency is real, so get ahead of the legislation and show your stakeholders that your company is sincere about wanting to do its part.

Conducting a carbon assessment for your company is a great way of demonstrating your commitment and adding substance to your CSR report. It provides an overall view of your emissions, enabling you to implement actions to reduce them. It is an excellent first step for companies that feel a little confused when faced with the countless possible strategies for action.

The idea of a personal carbon footprint was popularised by a large advertising campaign of the fossil fuel company BP in 2005. This piece of propaganda was designed to shift the responsibility of carbon emissions from the company to the public.

📝 Erratum: @3:30 the vertical axis of the graph should read "CO2 concentration" not temperatures, and the voice-over should say "CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is the highest it has ever been in 400,000." Temperature will follow but fortunately, they are not there yet. 

In this whiteboard animation, I explain what we mean by carbon footprint (definition), how it is calculated, why we need to reduce it and how to reduce it with lots of examples. I also suggest 3 carbon footprint calculators you can use:
If you are in the United States: https://coolclimate.org/calculator
If you are in the United Kingdom: https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/#/
If you are anywhere else: https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

0:00 Intro
0:28 What is a carbon footprint?
2:09 How is the carbon footprint calculated?
3:11 Why do we need to reduce our carbon footprint?
3:43 How to reduce our carbon footprint?
6:38 How to support & thank you

Other videos mentioned in this one:
Ecological footprint: https://youtu.be/g_aguo7V0Q4
Climate change (ice core in Antarctica): https://youtu.be/8BgD9xul16g

**
I create engaging sustainability videos to learn & teach. More sustainability videos on www.sustainabilityillustrated.com & http://www.youtube.com/learnsustainability

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Videos are created by Alexandre Magnin using years of experience drawing and working as a sustainability consultant with businesses and communities: http://www.amcreative.org

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sustain_Illustr
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandremagnin/
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Resources & credits:
UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2020: https://www.unep.org/emissions-gap-report-2020
Tar sand footage from https://youtu.be/fIQkFmKjgEU
Large Low Boom sound effect by duckduckpony on https://freesound.org
Music/guitar: Alexandre Magnin inspired by Paul Davids’ finger picking https://youtu.be/m6b371mNkCw
**
THANK YOU to Chocolate Choice for being a major patron at the time this video was posted. Check out their website to learn about chocolate production and how to buy chocolate that does not involve child slavery during its production: https://chocolatechoice.ca/

What is a CARBON FOOTPRINT? How to calculate and reduce it? | Climate change

What is the difference between a CSR report and an Extra-Financial Performance Declaration (DPEF)?

In 2017, the CSR reporting landscape changed once again with new amendments that went a step further than the Grenelle II report. In particular, they introduced the concept of a DPEF - an Extra-Financial Performance Declaration.

Where the Grenelle II Law did not lay down any rules on the nature of the information to be produced (qualitative, quantitative, etc.), the DPEF represents a genuine steering tool that sets forth priority issues and action plans. The information must be presented in the form of “policies, action plans, results and KPIs”.

Inform stakeholders about your CSR strategy

As mentioned above, a CSR report is aimed at the company’s stakeholders, both internal and external, with a goal of working towards greater transparency to help curate more powerful sustainability.

With a CSR report, the company provides transparency for its customers and consumers about how the product has been designed. Customers are thus well-informed about the social and environmental impact of buying the product or using the service.

This has a dual effect: the company reduces its impact by focusing on this aspect, and the buyer feels good about their responsible purchase.

It’s the same thing for B2B! Client companies must also be accountable in terms of CSR. Therefore, it is in their interest to use service providers and suppliers who share their social engagement values, and it is increasingly common for businesses to integrate CSR criteria into their choice of partners.

However, beware of greenwashing and social washing! Customers today are not fooled by this, as green packaging is not the be all and end all – and customers will look for more such as B Corp status, ISO certifications, and more.

A coherent report that clearly presents the company’s approach and proves to employees that their organisation is committed to protecting the environment can completely change their relationship with their work. It boosts employee motivation and builds their loyalty to the company and it becomes much easier to engage them with your CSR approach.

According to a study by MEDEF, 68% of employees see themselves still working in their company in 3 years’ time. This figure rises to 79% in companies that have a CSR department or function.

Below is a non-exhaustive selection of public CSR reports produced by companies for their community: 

Bergamotte, a socially-engaged Parisian florist

Disneyland Paris, a company which needs no introduction

CNP Assurances, France's leading loan insurance company

ELBA Group, a consulting, creation, production and eco-design company in the cosmetics sector

Itancia, a responsible service distributor, particularly in the field of communication and network infrastructure

At Greenly, we have a clear favourite: Bergamotte. With the report’s 23 distinct actions and a floral design that's hard to top. Congrats to them!

It’s good to implement positive actions, but it’s even better to publicise them in order to inspire others and enhance your brand image! Effective communication in this field is essential, and there are a number of strategies that can be used. 

Bergamotte has definitely understood that a well produced CSR report can dramatically improve your brand image.

As previously stated, consumers and customers are attracted by companies with strong values - the figures prove this. How can you show consumers that your company also has convictions and is committed to social engagement? Simply by producing a well thought-out, public CSR report that sets forth concrete actions in a clear way. It’s really not that complicated after all.

For certain companies, publishing a CSR report is simply mandatory under the law. The question of why no longer really comes up; instead, their concern is how to do it. 

When it comes to CSR reporting, the UK has established itself as a leader in driving corporate transparency. While there is no singular framework dedicated solely to CSR, businesses are guided by a robust set of regulations that emphasise non-financial reporting.

A cornerstone of UK CSR reporting is the Companies Act 2006, which requires large businesses to disclose non-financial information within their strategic reports. This includes insights into how companies are addressing environmental challenges, supporting employee welfare, respecting human rights, and promoting anti-corruption measures.

Historically, the UK has aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, making TCFD-aligned disclosures mandatory for Britain's largest companies and financial institutions since April 2022. Looking ahead, the UK is preparing to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 and S2, developed by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). These standards aim to provide a global baseline for sustainability-related financial disclosures, with IFRS S1 focusing on general sustainability-related information and IFRS S2 specifically addressing climate-related disclosures. The UK government plans to consult on these standards in early 2025, with potential adoption for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

By staying ahead of these regulatory developments and leveraging voluntary frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), businesses operating in the UK can effectively meet stakeholder expectations while setting themselves apart as sustainability leaders.

A legally-required CSR report must contain specific information. This information must cover the three central pillars of the ISO 26000 standard: the social category, the economic and societal category, and the environmental category. 

The social section should contain information on the following: 

Employment issues, i.e. the number of employees and a breakdown by gender, age and geographical area, the amount of hires and fires, pay, etc.

Social relations within the company, including the structure for social dialogue;

Health and safety issues, including the conditions under which employees work;

Training issues, i.e. the measures implemented in terms of training; 

Diversity, equal opportunities and professional equality, particularly between men and women;

Actions taken to fight corruption and to promote human rights.

The environmental section should focus on issues such as: 

The way a company is set up to take account of environmental issues; 

Its anti-pollution and waste management measures, i.e. actions to prevent, reduce or reuse waste;

The sustainable use of resources, i.e. water consumption and supply and consumption of raw materials;

The measures taken to adapt to global warming, especially in regards to greenhouse gas emissions;

Lastly, the societal section should cover the following aspects: 

The economic impact of the company's activity (employment in the region or city); 

The company’s social partners and sponsorship initiatives;

The measures taken to benefit consumers (health, safety, dialogue);

Should a carbon assessment be included in the CSR report? 

According to its legal definition, a CSR report must contain a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report (BEGES) for the company. The aim is to assess the degree to which the company is impacting climate change. However, the report is only mandatory for emissions in scope areas 1 and 2: i.e. the emissions for which the company is directly responsible (not those as a result of suppliers, for example).

What is the problem with this approach? The scope is far too narrow and is not at all representative of the company's emissions.

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