Climate change—a new consumer mindset: creating new business opportunities and challenges
David Abood A and Bernadette Cullinane BA Accenture
B Level 5 South Shore Piazza
The APPEA Journal 48(1) 345-356 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ07023
Published: 2008
Abstract
Are individuals ready to act and take concrete action to address climate change? Will consumers try to use their buying power to reduce the level of emissions? And will they be prepared to pay more for products and services that help achieve this objective? The answer to all of these questions appears to be yes.
Up to now, it has been difficult for companies in the resources industries such as utilities and oil and gas businesses, to gauge the potential impact of consumer action on their businesses.
Now, a new survey of more than 7,500 consumers worldwide shows that consumers across the globe are not just aware of climate change as an issue, but are adopting a new mindset that will change the basis on which they make buying decisions. Designed by Accenture, the survey shows in particular that consumers will favour providers whose products and services make a positive contribution to tackling climate change—and will look unfavourably on those that ignore the issue.
David Abood is the Executive Director of Accenture’s Climate Change and Energy Management practice. Dave has over 18 years experience leading business and technology change initiatives from concept and strategy through solution design, planning and implementation. He has helped clients in a wide range of industries such as metals and mining, chemicals, energy and utilities, as well as governments and other industries. Dave has been involved in Accenture’s Climate Change and Sustainability efforts and he serves on the board of directors for Accenture’s SMART Buildings Alliance, a business service focussed on helping clients achieve 20-30% cost reductions in energy and maintenance based on data from core building systems. david.j.abood@accenture.com |
Bernadette Cullinane is a senior executive in Accenture’s Global Resources practice. She is based in Perth where she leads Accenture’s growing oil & gas consulting business. Bernadette focusses on helping companies improve performance through business transformation, process improvement, merger integration, operational strategy and technology implementation, including digital oil field. Prior to joining the Perth practice, Bernadette consulted with major and independent oil & gas clients in Houston, Texas where she led the Business Transformation practice area. Bernadette has an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York City, a MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. bernadette.cullinane@accenture.com |
