SYDNEY, November 26, 2019 – Almost 70% of Australians want companies to set a goal of 100% renewable energy as part of their responsibility to tackle climate change, according to a new Ucomms poll released today commissioned by Greenpeace Australia Pacific.The poll also revealed that almost 80% of Australians agreed that Australian companies should be using more renewable energy to power their operations. A further 65% said they would be more likely to buy a product or service from a company that uses renewable energy than from a company that doesn’t.

“This poll clearly shows that the overwhelming majority of Australians want businesses and corporations to step up and take action on climate change,” said Lindsay Soutar, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Almost 70% of respondents said they would prefer to work for a company that was using renewable energy, reflecting recent research from Edelman that found high levels of employee expectation that prospective employers will join them in taking action on societal issues (67%).

“The biggest driver of climate change in Australia is coal, which is still burned to make a large amount of our electricity. As some of Australia’s biggest users of electricity, businesses and corporations have an obligation to clean up their act and make the move to 100% renewable energy,” said Soutar.

Many large-scale businesses operating in Australia have already committed to using 100% renewable energy to power their operations, including Carlton & United Breweries, Mars, IKEA, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ, Bank Australia, Apple, Google, Macquarie Bank, ING Bank, Citibank, Microsoft, L’Oreal and Unilever.

“With bushfires raging across the country, AGM season in full swing, and increasing pressure on big businesses to clean up their act in light of the climate crisis, this is an important point of reflection for executives and board members.”

“When it comes to climate change, companies can go from being a big part of the problem to being a big part of the solution. In Australia and overseas, many companies are already leading the way and proving that 100% renewable is 100% doable.”

For more information or interviews, please contact Communications Manager Nelli Stevenson on 0428 113 346 or email [email protected]