A total of 500 UK consumers were surveyed by analysts Kantar Millward Brown on behalf of Ørsted, to discuss attitudes towards corporate sourcing of renewable energy. The survey found that 73% would choose products from companies partly powered by renewable energy, with 86% of consumers believing it is worth purchasing products that were made using 100% renewable energy.
Ørsted UK’s managing director Jeff Whittingham said: “We know that a move to green energy makes sense for the environment, but these latest statistics show that it is also good for business, making renewable energy a commercial choice as well as an ethical one.”
The survey suggests that there is a strong commercial benefit for corporates that are decarbonising their energy mix through onsite renewables or green energy procurement. The survey focused on the purchase of goods from supermarkets, food and beverage firms and companies with clothing, electronics and beauty products.
Message on a bottle
Notably, 60% of consumers revealed a preference for products with logos that display a green message and details of a company or product’s sustainability agenda. Global brewers Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), for example, have placed a renewable electricity label on any Budweiser beer that has been brewed using 100% renewable electricity.
The survey builds on the notion that sustainability can act as a differentiator for consumers, with companies like Ikea and Unilever delivering notable economic growth from sustainable products. In fact, Unilever’s ‘Sustainable Living’ brands accounted for a record 70% of its turnover growth last year and grew 46% faster than the rest of the business.
Ørsted – formerly known as DONG Energy – has taken steps to switch its portfolio away from fossil fuels and towards green energy. In addition to offering business customers renewable energy at no extra cost, the company has also committed to phase-out its coal-related business aspects by 2023.
Matt Mace