A new major survey has revealed that business leaders are not only talking about renewable energies – they are ready to play their future on this subject. In a survey of 1,500 managers in 15 countries, 97% categorical expressed their support for the transition far from fossil fuels with clean energy. In addition, more than half (52%) said they were ready to move operations if their country does not provide access to clean energy.
THE investigationLed by Savanta for British NGOs E3G, beyond fossil fuels and, we hear the commercial coalition, indicates that companies now consider renewable energies as essential to their survival, managers citing energy security, economic growth and competitive advantage as key engines. Among those questioned, 77% considered renewable energies as a key to economic growth, while 75% considered clean energy as an instrument in the creation of jobs. Globally, 75% of managers have linked renewable energies to stronger energy independence – a particularly strong feeling in Germany, where 78% of business leaders said they considered renewable energies as their volatile energy ticket.
Explaining the results, Stuart Lemmon, global manager of practices, sustainability, in the Electrical Equipment Company, Schneider Electric, said: “Companies adopting renewable energies are positioned today to succeed tomorrow. Driver greater competitiveness, accelerate innovation and unlock long -term savings.
The survey has also revealed the urgency with which leaders see the transition to renewable energies: 78% want their businesses to go to 100% green energy in the next decade. Many of these companies do not wait for national electricity networks to catch up: a remarkable 93% of the companies questioned plan to invest in the production of renewable energy on site, with exactly half (50%) planning to do so within five years.
“Renewable energies are not just a good practice of sustainability; it is an essential strategy for companies engaged in growth, resilience and long -term success.”
Stuart Lemmon, head of global practices, sustainability at Schneider Electric
“These are no longer distant climatic objectives,” explains Nick Mabey, CEO of E3G. “This is an immediate survival of companies and a competitive advantage.”
The commercial support overwhelming with renewable energies demonstrates a striking disconnection between the company's priorities and the changes in recent federal policy. Despite the Trump administration measures to reduce incentives to renewable energies and environmental regulations, American business leaders remain firmly attached to the green transition, with 65% of American leaders promoting direct change to renewable energies. Globally, 63% of managers interviewed said they thought that governments should prioritize investments in green energy production on fossil fuels.
“The gap of fossil fuels is no longer a debate, it is an economic reality focused on companies that recognize clean energy such as the foundation of a long -term competitive advantage, the creation of jobs and the stability of energy prices,” said Maria Mendice, CEO of the Business Coalition, which represents both large companies and NGOs. “Business leaders invest in renewable energies and wish to do more. They need governments to accelerate planning and suppression of permit delays for renewable energies, storage and networks. ”
On this point, the survey also revealed key results on the challenges of the energy transition, business leaders identifying a range of common practical barriers. The most frequently mentioned of them were the initial costs associated with the transition from electrical systems based on fossil to renewable energies, at 46%. More than two thirds of respondents (38%) also cited insufficient electrical infrastructure as well as a concern. Meanwhile, a third party thought that a lack of government funding for renewable energies caused difficulties when considered at the country level.
“Business leaders invest in renewable energies and wish to do more. They need governments to accelerate planning and suppression of permit delays for renewable energies, storage and networks. ”
Maria Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition
In addition to their meaning within the business world, the results are notable in a broader social context. Last year, a global survey of 130,000 people revealed that 89% of people demanded stronger political action, but that many people underestimate the high level of support of others. The authors of the article, published in the journal Naturenoted that this “perception gap” presented an obstacle to a more radical climate action. Far from being a minority concern, the researchers concluded: “The vast majority of people around the world are ready to act against climate change and to expect their national government to act.”
This story was initially presented on Fortune.com
