by Ann Withanee — November 5, 2010—A survey of global businesses released at the BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) Conference finds that engagement in—and more important, funding for—sustainability and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs is expected to hold steady or increase at most companies.
The survey, conducted by GlobeScan on behalf of BSR, shows that 84 percent of the respondents, which include nearly 400 respondents from 250 global companies, are optimistic about the ongoing expansion of CSR efforts among the business world.
For their own companies, the majority expect to see at least some growth in their CSR operations: Just over 70 percent said their CSR communications, both internal and external, will grow next year. And 42 percent expect a bigger budget for CSR work this year, with another 52 percent predicting at least the same budget as last year.
Addressing climate change remains a top priority among survey respondents, with 63 percent saying it was a high priority. Workers’ rights and human rights were the next two priorities, and 62 and 59 percent, respectively.
Although companies put climate change high on their list of priorities, the survey results suggest the need isn’t as urgent as in 2009, when the poll was conducted just in advance of the Copenhagen climate summit. Last year, 41 percent rated climate change the highest level of priority, compared to 27 percent this year.
One challenge to wider adoption of CSR practices is an ongoing lack of trust in business, the survey found. On a five-point scale from “a great deal of trust” to “no trust at all,” 87 percent of respondents chose medium to low levels of trust from the public on behalf of the private sector.
The full results of the survey, BSR/GlobeScan State of Sustainable Business Poll 2010, is available for download from the BSR Web site.
