Report: Top executives say environmental innovation is good for business
Report published April 2018.
To see how companies are adopting disruptive technologies — including blockchain, data analytics and automation — EDF commissioned a first-of-its-kind survey exploring the intersection of technology, business and sustainability. The resulting 2018 Business and the Fourth Wave of Environmentalism report is downloadable from this page.
Who we surveyed
- 501 executives at the VP, SVP and C-suite levels
- At companies with $500 million to more than $5 billion in revenue
- In 5 industries: retail, manufacturing, energy, technology and finance
- And 5 functional areas: executive, finance, marketing, IT and operations
These business leaders revealed how emerging technologies are changing the way the corner office thinks about and invests in sustainability.
- 72% say their business objectives and environmental goals are more aligned than they were 5 years ago, largely due to technology innovations
Other report highlights
- 91 percent of C-suite executives agree that emerging technology can help the bottom line as well as the environment
- 7 in 10 business leaders report that technologies offering environmental benefits have already taken root in their industries
- 3 in 4 top executives consider the environmental impact of new technology when deciding whether to implement it
The report features a comprehensive maturity model, showing the uptake of seven emerging technologies across five different industries, and showcases real-world examples among top brands.
What's in the report
Key findings include:
- 91 percent of C-suite executives agree that emerging technology can help the bottom line as well as the environment
- 7 in 10 business leaders report that technologies offering environmental benefits have already taken root in their industries
- 3 in 4 top executives consider the environmental impact of new technology when deciding whether to implement it
The report features a comprehensive maturity model, showing the uptake of seven emerging technologies across five different industries, and showcases real-world examples among top brands.
Who we surveyed
We surveyed 501 executives at the VP level or above, at companies with more than $500 million in revenue, across five industries — retail, manufacturing, energy, technology and finance.
- 72% say their business objectives and environmental goals are more aligned than they were 5 years ago, largely due to technology innovations
Across industries, this report shows that top executives overwhelmingly agree on the potential to raise the bar for business and the environment.