As we move into the first few weeks of 2008, many commentators are predicting that the issue of climate change will frame the debate about corporate responsibility in the year ahead. However, findings from a new survey by Corporate Citizenship suggest that the issues facing business are more complex. Successful businesses will need to address a range of social challenges that are of concern to employees, customers and the wider society.
Indeed, as the climate change talks in Bali mark the end of 2007 there is increasing scepticism that the “hot air” produced by such events does little either to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or address the broader social challenges facing us.
In order to get an informed perspective, Corporate Citizenship polled over 170 business professionals in the UK and USA working in the field of corporate citizenship, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. The results of the survey, carried out between 17 December 2007 and 14 January 2008, were analysed with similar data from two other audiences – social activists and business leaders.