Concerns over the state of the environment are on the rise across the globe, with there being a noticeable year-on-year increase in the proportion of consumers saying this. These concerns relate to many feeling that the state of the environment has worsened over the last couple decades, something that will be attributed to many consumers being exposed first-hand to the consequences of poor environmental practices, such as deforestation, animal extinction, and poor weather conditions to name a few factors.

Environmental Concerns

FMCG Gurus research shows that 74% of global consumers state they are concerned about the environment with 53% suggesting the damage done is permanent. Consumers are pessimistic and believe that damage done to the environment is irreversible. This is something that will lead to concerns over quality of life for current and future generations. These attitudes will in turn lead to consumers taking a more proactive stance on sustainability, looking to make changes to their diets and lifestyles in order to minimize their impact on the environment.

COVID-19 is something that has fundamentally changed the way that consumers address a variety of issues, including the environment. Linked to this, consumers are questioning if environmental factors contributed to the rapid and damaging spread of the virus. However, it is important to understand that consumer concern towards the environment was growing before the pandemic, however COVID-19 has accelerated this trend. This is highlighted within FMCG Gurus, February 2021, COVID-19 survey series showing a consistent increase in consumers becoming more concerned about the environment as a result of the virus.

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