69% of respondents indicate that the quality of environmental education is insufficient.
As many as 81% of respondents are concerned about the deterioration of air quality during the coming winter, an increase of 7 p.p. compared to previous years. Almost half of the respondents are also worried about the condition and availability of drinking water in Poland (48%). At the same time, 69% indicate that the quality of environmental education is insufficient. These are the figures from the latest nationwide survey of business representatives. This year's edition was inaugurated with a symbolic signing of the declaration at the ASPIRE Annual Leaders' Summit in Kraków. The ‘We support the climate - Business vs. smog’ program, initiated by PwC Poland, is carried out in cooperation with 26 organizations, including the Krakow Smog Alarm (Krakowski Alarm Smogowy) and UNEP/GRID-Warszawa (United Nations Environment Programme).
Almost 900 people participated in a survey among company employees associated with the project ‘We support the climate — Business vs. smog’. The majority of those surveyed expect their employer to take active measures to protect the environment (77%), and almost half (46%) already consider their sustainable development activities when choosing an employer. At the same time, 65% of respondents want to be involved in social, educational, and voluntary projects at their workplace.
"The survey results show that every year, more and more people are concerned about the air quality we breathe, despite many programs and regulations to improve our environment. Although air quality is improving, the pace of change is insufficient. This is why it is all the more welcome that so many business representatives participate in the program ‘Supporting the climate - Business versus smog.’ And although it does not bring instant results, educating the new generations in the area of climate responsibility is fundamental for the future of us all"
‘We support the climate - Business vs. smog’ is one of several employee volunteering programs at PwC Polska. In the last financial year, 510 employees of PwC Polska were involved in social activities, devoting almost 2,000 hours to volunteering. As a result, we helped 210 organizations, social enterprises, and educational institutions and supported 13,300 people. Over the 6 years of the program, volunteers have trained more than 63,000 children in schools and kindergartens. A total of 26 organizations joined the 7th edition of ‘Business vs. smog- We support the climate’: ABB BS, Airly, Akamai Technologies, Aon, ASPIRE, Capita, Cisco, Euroclear, Ferro, GlobalLogic, Herbalife, Hitachi Vantara, HSBC, Huntsman, IAG GBS, IKEA Purchasing Services, Jacobs, KION, Krakowski Alarm Smogowy, Knowable, Maxima Consulting, PwC and PwC SDC, SIG, State Street Bank Polska, Sterling Outsourcing, UBS, UNEP/GRID-Warszawa.
‘Poor air quality and the increasing risk of limited access to water are the results of irresponsible use of natural resources. A radical transformation of business models and widespread public education is needed to change this. The widespread involvement of business representatives in the program ‘Supporting the climate - Business versus smog’ offers hope for improvement. The value of employee volunteering cannot be overestimated”
This year's edition was launched at the ASPIRE Annual Leaders' Summit in Krakow, Poland, where local and global actions shaping our future were discussed. The panel ‘Boosting Employee Engagement: Non-financial Strategies' discussed, among other things, how a sense of purpose, sustainability, and social engagement can support workplace culture and analysed the latest findings of the “We support the Climate — Business vs Smog” survey.
‘The financial aspects of employee motivation are obvious. However, from our research and the experience gathered during implementing the program ‘Supporting the climate - Business vs. smog,’ we see that social engagement and corporate climate action can also significantly influence employee motivation and loyalty. In initiating the program, we focused on the aspects of environmental education. Still, we are also happy to see the wider impact of this program (and similar projects) on employee motivation and development opportunities. This is a very beneficial and less obvious effect of this initiative”
The program's mission is to continue employee volunteering efforts to educate the youngest about air quality and climate change. Thanks to new partners - this year GlobalLogic, Huntsman, Ikea Purchasing Services, KION, and Sterling Outsourcing joined for the first time - volunteers will reach more schools and kindergartens, including those outside the Malopolska region. Classes are conducted by volunteers trained by the Krakow Smog Alarm and UNEP/GRID-Warsaw, and materials are adapted to different age groups. The program offers three thematic pathways: participants learn about the causes of smog, its dangers, and prevention methods; the second pathway enables them to understand climate change and develop pro-environmental habits. The third thematic area focuses on water issues. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.
Survey findings:
Are you afraid of the coming winter in terms of air quality? |
Yes |
81% |
No |
19% |
|
Are you concerned about the state and availability of drinking water in Poland? |
Yes |
48% |
No |
52% |
|
When choosing an employer, are you also guided by their sustainability efforts (ESG - environmental and social care and governance)? |
Yes |
46% |
No |
54% |
|
Do you expect your employer to take active action to protect the environment? |
Yes |
77% |
No |
23% |
|
Is it essential for you to be able to personally get involved in community projects, education, volunteering, etc., in your current workplace? |
Yes |
65% |
No |
35% |
|
What is the quality of Poland's ecological, environmental, and climate education system? |
Very good |
2% |
Very bad |
11% |
|
Insufficient |
69% |
|
Satisfying |
18% |
|
What makes you feel the meaning of the work you do? |
Appropriate remuneration |
77% |
Relationship with the team |
66% |
|
Growth opportunities |
60% |
|
A culture of appreciation |
30% |
|
Promotion prospects |
29% |
|
Motivating leaders |
23% |
|
Opportunity to participate in community education volunteer projects |
14% |
|
Awareness of sharing the same values with the employer (caring for the environment and communities) |
20% |
|
Understanding the company's strategy |
20% |
|
Others |
3% |
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