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IBM study: COVID-19 impacted 9 in 10 surveyed consumers’ views on sustainability

Nine in 10 consumers surveyed reported the COVID-19 pandemic affected their views on environmental sustainability, and COVID-19 was the top factor cited in influencing their view – more than others presented such as widespread wildfires/brushfires, disasters due to weather events and news coverage on the topic.

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Photo by Mert Guller from Unsplash.com

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated consumers’ focus on sustainability and willingness to pay out of their own pockets – or even take a pay cut – for a sustainable future, according to a new IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) survey of over 14,000 consumers in nine countries.

Nine in 10 consumers surveyed reported the COVID-19 pandemic affected their views on environmental sustainability, and COVID-19 was the top factor cited in influencing their view – more than others presented such as widespread wildfires/brushfires, disasters due to weather events and news coverage on the topic.

The survey also revealed differences in consumer opinion across geographies, with Americans surveyed reporting the least concern about sustainability topics. For example, only 51 percent of US consumers surveyed said addressing climate change was very or extremely important to them, compared to 73 percent of respondents from all other countries.

“The survey showed respondents worldwide are increasingly concerned about the global climate crisis, and we have also observed businesses in many industries looking to take action to meet their customers’ and investors’ expectations and manage their own environmental goals,” said Dr. Murray Simpson, global lead for sustainability, climate & transition, IBM Global Business Services. “We see many companies beginning to make strides to build transparent supply chains or improve energy management to reduce carbon emissions with the help of innovative technologies like AI and Blockchain.”

According to the survey, many consumers are increasingly willing to change how they shop, travel, choose an employer and even where they make personal investments due to environmental sustainability factors.

Many surveyed employees are willing to accept a lower salary to work at a sustainability-conscious employer

According to the survey, 71 percent of employees and employment seekers surveyed say that environmentally sustainable companies are more attractive employers. In addition, more than two-thirds of the full potential workforce* respondents are more likely to apply for and accept jobs with environmentally and socially responsible organizations – and nearly half surveyed would accept a lower salary to work for such organizations.

At the same time, 48 percent of consumers surveyed trust corporate commitments on sustainability, with 64 percent of respondents expecting increased public scrutiny in the year ahead.

Given that one in four employees surveyed in February 2021 plan to switch employers this year, companies could face a risk of losing top talent to more sustainability-conscious competitors.

Environmental sustainability is affecting personal investment decisions

Forty-eight percent of all personal investors surveyed already take environmental sustainability into account in their investment portfolios and a further fifth (21 percent) surveyed say they are likely to do so in the future. 59 percent of personal investors surveyed expect to buy or sell holdings in the next year based on environmental sustainability factors.

Many surveyed shoppers and travelers are willing to pay more for environmental sustainability

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial impact on many individuals, 54 percent of consumers surveyed are willing to pay a premium for brands that are sustainable and/or environmentally responsible.

In addition, 55 percent of consumers surveyed report sustainability is very or extremely important to them when choosing a brand – 22 percent higher than consumers surveyed pre-COVID-19 pandemic by IBM. Slightly more than six in ten consumers surveyed said they are willing to change their purchasing behavior to help reduce negative impact on the environment, with consumers surveyed in India (78 percent) and China (70 percent) being the most willing.

With regards to travel, almost one in three respondents strongly believe their personal travel habits contribute to climate change. 82 percent of consumers surveyed globally would choose a more environmentally friendly transportation option even if it costs more, but only 64 percent of American respondents agreed compared to 95 percent of Indian and 91 percent of Chinese respondents.

Ethical Biz

FedEx Cares helps 2,400 Filipino students start the school year healthier

This initiative is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program, and aims to improve the health and well-being of Filipino students ahead of the upcoming school year.

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Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, collaborated with international non-profit Feed the Children to address health challenges by donating hygiene kits to 2,400 grade school children from fishing and farming communities in Bohol and Zamboanga del Norte.

This initiative is part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program, and aims to improve the health and well-being of Filipino students ahead of the upcoming school year. A total of 14 FedEx employees supported the effort by assembling and delivering the kits, which include soap, shampoo, face towels, toothbrush and toothpaste – helping children maintain proper hygiene and stay focused on their education.\

Beyond providing essential supplies, the program promotes lasting behavior change through school-based orientation sessions in 11 schools, encouraging consistent, daily hygiene practices among students. Studies show that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheal diseases by up to 30% and acute respiratory infections by up to 20%, underscoring the importance of early education and access to basic hygiene tools. Oral health remains a growing concern, with the Philippine Dental Association reporting that 72% of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, with school-aged children among the most affected, making it a leading cause of school absenteeism.

“At FedEx, we believe that access to basic hygiene is fundamental to a child’s ability to learn and thrive. Through this initiative, we are not only delivering essential supplies but also fostering healthier routines and stronger foundations for learning,” said Maribeth Espinosa, managing director, FedEx Philippines. “By providing hygiene kits and health education, we aim to create a lasting impact and empower Filipino children to stay in school and reach their full potential.”

Since 2023, FedEx has worked with Feed the Children to deliver resources that support the needs of more than 5,000 children across the Philippines.

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AXA Philippines mobilizes over 2,000 employees nationwide to support communities through volunteerism

This year’s celebration underscored the company’s belief that they can achieve more meaningful change when they work as one, while marking a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower communities to grow sustainably.

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AXA Philippines, one of the largest and fastest-growing insurance companies in the country, reaffirmed its commitment to create lasting social impact through AXA Week for Good (AWFG) 2026, bringing together over 2,000 employees nationwide under the theme “AXA on a Mission: Together We Move Forward.”

This year’s celebration underscored the company’s belief that they can achieve more meaningful change when they work as one, while marking a shift toward long-term partnerships that empower communities to grow sustainably.

“When our employees come together, the impact multiplies. This year, we’re investing more into partnerships that can help communities thrive in the long run. We wanted volunteerism to go beyond participation and become part of a sustained journey with our partners through livelihood initiatives, skills sharing, and learning and sustainability programs,” said Sharon Hernandez, Chief Human Resources Officer of AXA Philippines.

From Volunteerism to Sustainable Community Development

A key milestone of this year’s AWFG is the continued development of the Medinilla Café, a livelihood project in Siniloan, Laguna that grew from AXA’s tree-planting and forest restoration efforts last year in collaboration with Fostering Education and Environment for Development Inc. (FEED). Through the first-ever “Declutter for a Purpose” initiative, AXA employees raised cash donations by selling preloved items to help sustain the café’s operations and create livelihood opportunities for local residents. The unsold goods will be donated to partner communities to extend the initiative’s impact and minimize waste.

Building on the success of AXA Forest, the company is also expanding support to community gardens in partnership with Project PEARLS, a non-profit organization with a mission to help the poorest of the poor children have a better life by giving them PEARLS: Peace, Education, Aspiration, Respect, Love and Smiles through education, empowerment, nutrition, nourishment, and healthcare. The partnership aims to help improve food security and create potential income sources for families.

Learning That Inspires Action

Throughout the week, employees also deepened their understanding of social and environmental challenges through the “Impact for Action Podcast Series,” featuring experts and nonprofit partners who shared practical insights on literacy, sustainability, disaster preparedness, workplace safety, circular economy practices, and environmental stewardship.

Partner organizations included BINHI English Literacy Foundation, FEED Inc., Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), Humble Sustainability, Upstyle, The Soilmate Collective Inc., and AXA Foundation. The series also highlighted volunteer opportunities that extend beyond AWFG, encouraging year-round engagement.

Employees Turning Everyday Actions into Lasting Impact

Additionally,  employees participated in a range of hands-on activities over the course of the week.  An “e-Waste Collection Drive” promoted responsible disposal by collecting used electronic devices for refurbishment or recycling, with proceeds benefiting Project PEARLS.

Meanwhile, remote volunteers contributed through “Learning Buddies,” creating reading activity sheets for young learners, and “Love in Every Bite,” sharing nutritious, budget-friendly recipes with partner communities.

AXA Week for Good is the flagship annual celebration of AXA Hearts in Action, the company’s global employee volunteering program. With a focus on community partnerships, this year’s AXA Week for Good continues to show the impact of collective action, through volunteerism, skills sharing, and supporting livelihood initiatives, reflecting the company’s commitment to helping protect what matters and build more resilient communities.

For more information about AXA Philippines and its community initiatives, visit www.axa.com.ph

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Canon Marketing Philippines leads Brigada Eskwela to help prepare Lagro High School for new school year

Beyond the physical improvements, the initiative reflected the collaboration and community spirit that Brigada Eskwela represents each year.

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Canon Marketing Philippines recently led faculty, students, and employee volunteers at Lagro High School for this year’s Brigada Eskwela, helping prepare classrooms ahead of the opening of classes.

The activity brought together Canon employees and the school’s student council to repaint and refresh classrooms, creating a more welcoming environment for returning students. Beyond the physical improvements, the initiative reflected the collaboration and community spirit that Brigada Eskwela represents each year.

Volunteers worked side by side through a morning of paint-streaked shirts, teamwork, and meaningful conversations, all toward a common goal: classrooms where students feel motivated to learn and grow.

Canon Marketing Philippines also donated printers to support the school’s teaching and administrative needs, reinforcing the company’s commitment to empowering educators and students through technology.

“Our participation in Brigada Eskwela reflects Canon’s Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good,” said Anuj Aggarwal, President and CEO of Canon Marketing Philippines. “We believe education plays a vital role in shaping communities, and through simple but meaningful initiatives like this, we hope to help create better learning environments for students and teachers alike. Kyosei is most meaningful when experienced through collective action and genuine care for others.”

Through initiatives like Brigada Eskwela, Canon Marketing Philippines continues to strengthen its corporate social responsibility commitment by supporting communities and contributing to spaces where people can learn, connect, and thrive.

Canon is a multibillion-dollar company with one of the most extensive product lines of digital imaging devices. 2020 marks the company’s 35th consecutive year it has been ranked among the top five U.S. patent holders and the 16th consecutive year it has been ranked first among Japanese companies for the number of U.S. patents granted. It continues to enrich lives through technological innovation.   

Guided by its commitment to its Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, Canon provides total imaging solutions to improve personal and professional lives. The brand ranks as one of the top 20 brands in the region according to a 2018 study conducted by Campaign Asia-Pacific and Nielsen thanks to its strong reputation on performance and good corporate citizenship.   

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. has offices spread across the Philippine archipelago supported by its vast network of authorized service centers. Recognitions and awards received include the Corporate Award and Gold Bagwis Seal of Excellence for providing distinctive service to customers.    

Canon Marketing Philippines reaffirms its dedication to sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices across all its operations and product lifecycle, striving for a greener future for generations to come.    

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