UK Managers agree that businesses have a key role in tackling climate change

A survey of 1,092 managers conducted by CMI revealed that the majority agree that UK businesses have a key role in tackling climate change:

• 9 out of 10 and managers believe action must be taken to reduce and tackle climate change
• 4 out of 5 and managers state that their business is already taking action to tackle climate change.

The top three actions already taken to tackle climate change are:

• Reducing the amount of waste produced
• Introducing energy saving initiatives across the business
• Reducing the amount of travel undertaken

Rob Wall Head of Policy at The Chartered Management Institute said:

In business, the argument for tackling climate change has been won. This is one of those rare issues where there is broad consensus across the business community and broad support for the Government’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Climate leadership makes good business sense and should be an integral part of every organisation’s business model. The best managers and leaders already know that the next generation of young professionals want to work for purpose-led organisations with strong social and environmental credentials.

Government will need to provide businesses with practical guidance, and long-term certainty, to accelerate the shift towards renewables and green technologies. . But regardless of what happens in Westminster in the coming months, it is reassuring to know that this issue will be driven forward by inspirational managers and leaders.

Full survey results:

Conducted between 25 April - 5 June 2019, with 1,092 CMI

Full survey results:

Conducted between 25 April - 5 June 2019, with 1,092 CMI and 893 IoD respondents

Which of the following actions, if any, should business leaders take to help tackle climate change?

	CMI
Reduce emissions from their business	75%
Cut their carbon footprint	75%
Commit to responsible corporate engagement in climate policy	69%
Report annually on greenhouse emissions	39%
Commit to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure	39%
Choose sustainable alternative fuels	52%
Commit to smart energy use (such as cutting out energy waste, using smart buildings)	76%
Commit to 100% renewable power	32%
Business leaders should not be responsible for taking action against climate change	7%
Don't know	4%
Other (please specify)	6%

Which of the following action, if any, has your organisation taken specifically to help tackle climate change?

	CMI
Appointed a senior champion for climate change	18%
Developed a climate change policy	21%
Reduced the amount of waste produced	59%
Reduced the amount of travel undertaken	38%
Selected suppliers who are committed to tackling climate change	19%
Introduced energy saving initiatives across the business	57%
I am not aware of any actions that my business has taken	15%
Don't know	8%
Other (please specify)	5%