ESG - Ivanovs & ESG: Issues Acknowledged, But Little Willingness to Pay More

As part of our traditional Ivanov survey that was carried out in late March we included for the first time a number of questions related to ESG. Less than 6% of those surveyed know what ESG is; 74% had never heard of it and another 20% had heard of it but didn't know what it was. However, the Ivanovs do acknowledge the social and environmental problems in the country. They tend to be active as volunteers but are not prepared to pay more for goods and services that are more environmentally-friendly.> Both environmental and social problems are acknowledged. Just 12% of respondents believe that these issues do not apply to Russia. Environmental problems are acknowledged by 76%, while 80% said that there were social problems. Just over two thirds (68%) believe that the country faces both ecological and social problems.> Environmental issues are connected with quality of life. Russian consumers are most concerned about the problems that directly affect their quality of life. These include air pollution, water quality and trash disposal. Questions of climate change and biodiversity are secondary.> Health care, social inequality and unemployment. These three issues are primary for the Ivanovs in the social sphere. Human rights, an insufficient social safety net and problems in the sphere of education are seen as less critical.> 88% of Ivanovs say government should take the lead in solving environmental problems. However, 41% agree that the populace should participate in solving these them; 35% also think that business should get involved. Just 12% say that these problems should be solved jointly by the government, populace and business. > Most consumers are not ready to pay more for environmentally-friendly goods and services. This is what 78% said, while 26% are ready to give up goods that have a greater detrimental impact on the environment. One sixth of those surveyed said that a 5% higher price was justified for goods and services that are better for the environment, but only 6% agreed that more than 5% was justified.> Ivanovs are ready to volunteer. On average, one seventh of those surveyed are ready to either personally volunteer or financially support volunteer projects aimed at helping the environment or solving social problems. About 30% are ready to either financially support such projects or participate themselves but don't know about such projects in their region.