The FINANCIAL — New research from Aston University has found that business leaders are struggling to adapt to a low carbon economy, despite their ongoing obligations to do so. Over a third (38%) of business leaders say they do not see climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy as a concern, while another 41% see it as just a ‘minor concern’.
Despite 66% of business leaders believing that their business does have a responsibility to do something about climate change and support the transition to a low carbon economy, only 7% have adapted their corporate strategy and future business plans to accommodate the issue. A further 16% have plans to make significant changes, while 32% say their business is not adapting its plans at all.
The figures are revealed in a survey carried out by YouGov 1 ahead of Aston University’s first student Carbon Week (2-6 November). The University is taking the pioneering step of dedicating a whole week of teaching for all second year undergraduates, across all its schools, to the importance of understanding the challenge of climate change and the requirements of a low carbon economy. The timing of the event comes just weeks before the UN Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21), which starts on 30 November.
Separate research undertaken by YouthSight 2 revealed that students have an even higher sense of responsibility than business leaders, with 98% saying they believe they have a responsibility to do something about climate change, and 46% saying they are very concerned about the issue.
Students are the key to businesses making a change. When it comes to recruitment, 43% of businesses looking for new staff with knowledge of climate change believe that graduate applicants are prepared on the issue, although nearly two-thirds (59%) of businesses say they do not require new recruits to have any knowledge or understanding of the subject.
Young people are looking to business to address the challenges of climate change, with nearly a fifth (19%) of students saying that when they graduate it will be important that any future employer is doing this. However, less than a third of students (28%) questioned say they have received education, or training on climate change and the low carbon economy whilst at university.
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