KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A new national survey finds Americans are less trustful of the Environmental Protection Agency after Scott Pruitt was confirmed as head of the agency.
The survey, conducted by Shelton Group, found that Americans are hoping that NGOs and companies step up to protect the environment now.
“Scott Pruitt has a lot of work to do,” said Suzanne Shelton, President and CEO of Shelton Group, a marketing firm specializing in energy and the environment. “Americans say that under his leadership, the EPA is far less trustworthy than it was before – both in terms of environmental protection and as a source for facts about the environment.”
The poll found 51 percent of respondents said they previously trusted the EPA for facts about the environment and climate. Just 32 percent of respondents said they trust the EPA now.
The EPA also has work to do with sustainability leaders. In a separate poll, Shelton Group surveyed its newsletter readers – more than 6,000 business sustainability, energy, and building industry professionals. That survey was completed by 315 sustainability leaders, and found 84 percent trusted the EPA in the past. Only 22 percent said they trust the EPA now.
“Sustainability leaders are even more concerned about the EPA than average Americans,” Shelton said.
Shelton’s national poll surveyed 400 Americans across the country. One of the questions was open-ended: “What (if anything) are you most concerned about Scott Pruitt doing?” Sixty percent of respondents expressed worry or concerns.
Specifically, 20 percent said they’re concerned that Pruitt’s policies will harm the overall environmental health of the planet, or that current environmental protection policies will be hampered.
More than half (54 percent) of consumers say they will now look to NGOs for protecting the environment and addressing climate change.
“Americans see NGOs picking up where the government leaves off,” Shelton said. “They’re expected to do even more to protect the environment and to disseminate the facts on climate change.”
Consumers also want corporations to help: 74 percent said that companies should continue to prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and 81 percent said companies should continue investing in renewable energy, regardless of what the EPA does.
“For businesses, it’s not only OK to talk about the environment, it’s one way you can build trust and faith in your company and your company’s brand,” Shelton said. “The real win for your business, and for all of us, would be for your company to adopt an even bolder stance on the environment, essentially saying, ‘Clearly, government isn’t going to lead, so we will.’
“You’ll change the future for the better. Your customers will be grateful, and many will be even more loyal to you,” Shelton said.
ABOUT SHELTON GROUP
Shelton Group is the nation’s leading marketing communications agency focused exclusively on energy and the environment. Their vision is that every home and building in America is energy responsible and sustainability is ordinary; their purpose is to create a market advantage for the organizations that are creating that energy-responsible, sustainable future. With research, strategy and creative expertise, they help their clients build brand affinity, market their products and start movements. Learn more at www.sheltongrp.com.
ABOUT THE POLL
A sample of 400 U.S. consumers were surveyed using the Pollfish survey platform to gather feedback from users of online apps via laptop/desktop, mobile app or smart phone. The survey has a +/-5% margin of error. Shelton Insights newsletter readers, who are primarily business sustainability, energy, and built environment professionals, were invited to participate in the survey via email, with 315 completing the survey. Learn more about the survey here: http://sheltongrp.com/survey-epa-scott-pruitt-less-trusted-companies-should-stay-course/
ABOUT SHELTON INSIGHTS
Shelton Group shares deep market insights related to energy and the environment on a weekly basis. You can subscribe to the free newsletter, Shelton Insights, here: http://sheltongrp.com/shelton-insights/