After a slight dip last year, climate change is again one of the top three world concerns on a global survey of consumer attitudes conducted by HSBC (NYSE: HBC).
As with previous years, the Climate Confidence Monitor, found that emerging economies are the most concerned about climate change and are doing more to reduce their personal carbon footprint. They are also more confident than the developed markets that those who should be tackling climate change are doing so, and more optimistic that we will be able to stop climate change.
However, optimism stands at just 16% globally.
This year’s survey asked a number of new questions about the business opportunities presented by climate change and the findings show that people are generally positive about these, with over half of respondents in Brazil, India and Malaysia strongly agreeing their country would prosper and new jobs would be created by responding to the issue.
There is also a strong call–particularly among the developed markets–that businesses should invest more in addressing climate change.
Stuart Gulliver, Chairman, HSBC Europe, Middle East and Global Businesses and Group Chief Executive Designate, added: "The climate business sector is growing fast and emerging markets are leading the way. Governments are pushing ahead with decarbonizing their economies and businesses are responding by producing more low carbon goods and services. HSBC is working with clients to help them sow and reap the benefits of the low carbon economy."
Nicholas Stern, Special Adviser to HSBC’s Group Chairman on Economic Development and Climate Change, added: "Strong national and global policies that provide incentives for investment in clean technology, that price fossil fuels in ways that reflect their true economic and social costs, and that assist consumers in using energy more efficiently, have the potential to unleash a significant pool of investment that can serve as a powerful engine for a new era of economic growth."
The 2010 survey also attempted to ‘visualize’ people’s concept of climate change, asking them what image first comes to mind when they think about climate change. The results reveal that it means very different things to different people, from melting ice caps and temperature increase through to less obvious themes such as loss of bio-diversity, drought, politicians and even sci-fi movies.
A full report of the findings is available at the link below.
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