The New Indexing Report From Epson Shows That Many Businesses Are Not Prioritising Sustainability
Image Courtesy of Epson
Despite Customer And Employee Demand, Less Than A Quarter Of Businesses Considered Sustainability And Social Issues A Top Three Priority During 2020 - But Expectations Post Covid Are Encouraging
• New Epson Indexing Report looks at sustainability expectations during and post Covid and the resulting business impacts
• Report reveals shifting priorities, divided stakeholders and differing generational and regionals drivers
A new Indexing Report launched by Epson reviews the shifting priorities and expectations surrounding sustainability and social considerations, now and post Covid.
The report seeks to identify not only the actions of businesses, but also the opportunities and threats resulting from the expectations of their customers and employees. Demographic and regional variances are also reviewed.
The report includes findings from research run in the summer months of the Covid pandemic, asking over 4,000 respondents based across Europe and the Middle East about their actions and attitudes towards sustainability. T
his was followed by a series of debate events held in the final quarter of 2020 to interrogate those researches finding.
“For Epson, sustainability has long been a cornerstone of business function, both in the design and production of the products we make, as well as within our own behaviours and business operations. We don’t believe we’re alone in striving for a more sustainable approach to business, but the pandemic has shifted a lot of priorities,” comments Darren Phelps, VP of Epson Europe.
“We wanted to learn and adapt with our partners and consumers to establish where technology can align and help support plans for a more sustainable, economically viable future. This report shares the insight we gathered, both in terms of current and planned action, and the expectations of stakeholders that can impact business success.”
Key Takeaways:
During the Covid crisis less than a quarter of European and Middle Eastern businesses considered sustainability and social issues within their top three priorities
This was at odds with the general population, with environmental and social issues considered important by 71% (both as customers and employees)
And 83% claiming that the environmental and social credentials of the products and services they personally purchase were important
Employees both in the office and working from home said environmental factors must play a key role in the products provided for their use (70% claiming home working technologies must be long lasting, energy efficient or reduce waste)
While 81% of employees revealed that it’s important to them that their employer supports social and environmental issues
IT decision makers lead when it comes to positive environmental planning for the future. This will no doubt support those businesses looking at prioritising these issues post Covid and seeking to better align with customer and employee stakeholder expectations
Regional and generational differences are evident, but a majority agree there are business advantages to sustainable and societal action
