Women Under 30 Best Hope for Embracing Sustainability Initiatives, Global Opportunity Report Finds
The Global Opportunity Report, which was released yesterday in Zurich, revealed how businesses are embracing sustainability, despite five major challenges.
The report, launched by DNV GL, UN Global Compact and Monday Morning Global Institute, looks at the challenges: extreme weather, fresh water scarcity, urbanization, non-communicable diseases and extractive fossil fuel activity. The findings are based on more than 6,000 consultations in both the private and public sectors in more than 21 countries. The report aims to make the challenges more approachable and turn them into sustainability opportunities, offering more than 120 solutions for businesses around the world in various sectors.
The report found that younger generations, specifically those under age 30, as well as female leaders, are significantly more optimistic about overcoming the challenges, and have faith in sustainable “green” choices to offer solutions to many of the challenges the planet is currently facing.
“I believe that one of the most interesting findings in the report is how young leaders under 30 years of age, people in emerging economies and also women embrace regulation as a strong tool for sustainable change,” Henrik O. Madsen, Group CEO and President of DNV GL said in a statement. “It is very likely that the decision makers of tomorrow will be found in these groups, and it gives us hope that we can see a stronger collaboration between the private and the public sector in the future.”
“The report findings are encouraging and concerning at the same time,” says Erik Rasmussen, founder of Monday Morning Global Institute. “The strong interest in pursuing sustainable business opportunities in the private sector is very positive. Yet, the governmental sector seems to be more reluctant and not seeing the same opportunities. This is a pity. Governments can play an important role by issuing regulations that support both sustainability and business ventures. Business and governments must share visions and initiatives.”
According to the report’s findings, respondents in China, India and South America have the most confidence in sustainable opportunities, while respondents in Europe were most cautious. “Respondents from China see the greatest potential when assessing whether they can benefit from pursuing the 15 opportunities. China is closely followed by India and South America.”
“Businesses across the planet are not shying away from global risks such as climate change, and increasingly recognize the positive benefits of seizing the related opportunities,” Georg Kell, executive director of UN Global Compact said. “The report confirms that there has been a turning point, where private sectors are now a critical driver of sustainable development with emerging economies in the front seat.”
You can read the full report here.
Image via citirecruitment
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