ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Havas contributes to environmental protection
As a good corporate citizen, Havas is aware of the repercussions of its business activities on behavior and on the environment. We share in the environmental commitments made by our clients and, in order to support them most effectively, we are constantly extending our knowledge not just of the challenges facing humanity and the planet, but also of what scope each company has for progress.
The margin for maneuver this scope offers is based on more than just our capacity for taking on board environmental constraints, such as reducing our CO2 emissions even as our business expands; it rests also on our ability to innovate and invent communication that is "sustainable friendly" and that advances the cause of sustainable development and of our clients.
This awareness of environmental issues combined with initial actions already under way is the starting point for overall progress that will take Havas forward to improved social and environmental performance. Excellence in business is no longer sufficient; excellence in social and environmental responsibility is also a must. 2008 will see the consolidation and acceleration of this initial thrust. Havas aims to become the industry leader in sustainable development.
The Group has carried out an initial evaluation of its carbon emissions in six countries :
France, UK, Spain, USA, Mexico and India, based on "office life" (paper usage, transport, electricity and gas consumption, business travel and other key sources of carbon emissions). The result was 32,382 metric tonnes in 2006. This initial result is reported under the Carbon Disclosure Project. The process of measurement is accompanied by a carbon offsetting program, and an ambitious CO2 reduction target has also been set for 2009.
A recent survey by Havas Media polled and analyzed consumers' opinions on climate change and its impact on the business world
The survey, both qualitative and quantitative, covered nine markets, questioning over 11,000 people and looking at over 200 brands in all the main sectors; its findings allowed us to establish consumer categories based on their attitudes and motivation as regards environmentally-friendly consumption. In this way, it provided us with a global overview of the impact that perception of a global issue has on the already complex relationship between consumer and brands.
The survey revealed a high degree of concern among consumers over the issue of climate change, and awareness amongst the vast majority that a change in the traditional model of consumption was needed. Frustrated by the lack of response from national governments (only 11% felt that their government was making enough effort), consumers are turning towards companies and brands for action and solutions: two thirds of those questioned felt that companies, rather than governments, should tackle the issue of climate change on behalf of society.
Consumers are not content merely to wait for decisions to be taken, however; they are ready to take action. According to the survey results, the two actions likely to attract the most support in the near future are a total ban on products that are harmful to the environment and the generalization of those that are environment-friendly. 35% of consumers say they would be prepared to pay a higher price for such products.
In this complex and fast-changing field, the survey makes no claim to provide the ultimate answers that do not as yet exist. Its aim, above all, is to establish a dialogue – internally and with our clients – on the subject and the impact it has on how the advertising industry and the brands communicate with their consumers.