New GlobeScan research among 610 sustainability experts in 57 countries finds that 69 percent say moral arguments are less effective than they were five years ago, and 64 percent say sustainability progress is now driven by crisis and disruption rather than planned collective action. Only 8 percent disagree that moral framing has lost force, and 43 percent say progress is harder now than it has ever been.
Sustainability at a Crossroads 2026
New research from GlobeScan, ERM, and Volans examines perceptions of the current sustainability agenda, the barriers to progress, and the actions most likely to accelerate positive outcomes over the next five years.
Global Public
Opinion on AI
Explore how people across 33 global markets perceive the opportunities and risks of AI, and what this means for its role in addressing today’s wider societal challenges.
Chasing the Business Value of Sustainability
In this episode of the All In Podcast, David and Chris speak with Aron Cramer and Tensie Whelan on how the business case for sustainability could be more optically framed and why we need to be bold in advocating for it.
WHO WE ARE
Know Your World. Lead the Future
GlobeScan is an insights and advisory firm specializing in trust, sustainability, and engagement. We equip clients with insights to navigate shifting societal and stakeholder expectations, crafting evidence-based strategies that reduce risks and create value for their organizations and society.
Understanding the shifting landscape
Crafting evidence-based strategies
Influencing for real-world results
OUR INSIGHTS
New GlobeScan research explores public attitudes toward global crises, climate change, AI, business responsibility, trust, and regulation across 34 markets worldwide.
New research from GlobeScan, ERM, and Volans, reveals growing calls to radically revise the sustainability agenda, as experts confront backlash, political instability, and a persistent gap between ambition and delivery.
Sustainability experts are increasingly questioning whether current approaches can deliver the scale of change needed and calling for a fundamental rethink of the agenda.
New GlobeScan-ERM-Volans research among 610 sustainability experts in 57 countries tracks how significant the backlash against the sustainability agenda, including ESG, is by region from 2024 to 2026. North America remains the most affected region at 84 percent, but Europe has climbed steadily from 59 percent in 2024 to 77 percent in 2026, while perceived backlash remains elevated in Latin America and is gradually rising in Asia-Pacific.
New research from Ahold Delhaize and GlobeScan identifies how food retailers can make healthier choices more affordable, easier, and more relevant.
GlobeScan research across ten global markets shows how climate and environmental change affect people’s health, well-being, and everyday behavior.
New GlobeScan research among 610 sustainability experts in 57 countries finds that 59 percent say the current approach to sustainability must be radically revised, up from 56 percent in 2025. A further 36 percent want modest revision, and only 4 percent say the current approach works well as it is. With 95 percent calling for change of some kind, patience with incremental progress is running out.
Join Chris Coulter (GlobeScan), John Elkington (Volans), Mark Lee (ERM), and an exceptional group of commentators from around the world on October 29 for the Routes to Transformation webinar.
New GlobeScan research in 33 markets in 2026 finds near-universal demand for AI regulation. Support barely varies by region, from 89 percent in Latin America to 86 percent in Europe, and the most AI-optimistic publics, China (90%) and India (89%), want stronger rules as firmly as the most skeptical.
Our Clients
We partner with leading organizations across business, government, and civil society
“GlobeScan has been a strategic partner in Absa’s trust-building journey, with their reputation framework and insights unlocking stakeholder engagement and guiding executive action across our ten markets.” – Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, Absa
“The State of Sustainable Business poll has been very useful in providing both strategic context for the content we present at the annual BSR Conference, and a quantitative understanding of the shifting landscape of sustainable business. We greatly value our partnership with GlobeScan.” – Aron Cramer, President and CEO, BSR
“GlobeScan’s insights and advisors have been critical as we define the role of the private sector in responding to the world’s greatest challenges and opportunities. While we don’t have all the answers, GlobeScan has been an important partner making sure we ask the right questions to guide our strategic thinking.” – Brandee McHale, Head, Community Investing and Development & President, Citi Foundation
“GlobeScan designed a best practice trust and reputation assessment framework for Gold Fields and regularly assesses our progress in the eyes of our key stakeholders. The outcome of GlobeScan’s advice enables Gold Fields to continuously refine our trust-building strategy and stakeholder engagement practices in response to stakeholder needs and expectations.” – Jongisa Magagula, EVP, External Affairs, Gold Fields
“Our partnership with GlobeScan has been key to deepening Ingka and IKEA’s understanding of the billions of people we meet across the globe. It is both our responsibility and our opportunity to learn more about their hopes, dreams and needs to make sustainable living the norm. GlobeScan’s strategic insights and collaborative approach have helped us integrate sustainability into our consumer-facing initiatives, keeping us ahead of evolving expectations.” – Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Group Sustainability, Ingka Group | IKEA
“GlobeScan have done an outstanding job of helping the MSC with consumer and stakeholder research. They have helped us to better understand not only the rising consumer interest in sustainable seafood around the world, but also the views and interests of our partners and stakeholders.” – Rupert Howes, Chief Executive of the Marine Stewardship Council
“GlobeScan’s insights, perspectives, and global network have been an essential input to shaping the sustainability strategy and purpose strategies we have developed and implemented over the years.” – Tim Faveri, Former Vice President Global Sustainability, Nutrien
“GlobeScan took a collaborative approach that demonstrated astute understanding of large global organizations that the sustainability strategy was inclusive, transparent, and inspiring to our stakeholders and aligned to our purpose.” – Alanna Boyd, Senior Vice-President, Chief Sustainability Officer, Sun Life Financial
“GlobeScan’s experts and global insights have brought fresh perspectives to our sustainability discussions with the Board and senior leadership team during our stakeholder interviews. The team has been exceptionally professional and responsive, tailoring their approach to meet our specific needs.” – Joshua Wong, Head of Sustainability, The Peninsula Hotels (The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels)
“The GlobeScan team has a deep knowledge and understanding of the sustainability agenda. Through insightful research and thoughtful advice, GlobeScan helps to more deeply understand shifting stakeholder expectations and the pathway to a more sustainable future.” – Rebecca Marmot, Former Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, Unilever
“GlobeScan has been the most engaging and agile partner in driving a more sustainable future.” – Roberto Guidetti, CEO, Vitasoy
“GlobeScan has been a pioneer – over 30 years ago, as a catalyst for change that has grown into a global movement toward a more sustainable future.” – Kathleen, McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Walmart
“GlobeScan’s deep research into the motivations and drivers of wildlife consumption related to illegal trade and zoonotic spillover has allowed us to craft effective campaigns to change consumer behavior.” – Jan Vertefeuille, Senior Advisor for Advocacy, WWF
OUR Global presence and reach
With 11 regional offices, we combine global reach with local expertise to support our clients
Established in 1987, we have offices in Cape Town, Dubai, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, London, Paris, San Francisco, São Paulo, Singapore, Tokyo, and Toronto.