Forrester: Money -- Not Ethics -- Will Fuel Green Market Opportunity

Rhea-AI Summary

Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) highlights a significant shift towards environmental sustainability, with the US and EU investing $1.4 trillion and VC funding for green tech at $17.5 billion. This movement, termed the 'green market revolution,' aims to transform multiple sectors, including transportation and energy. Forrester's data reveals that 17% of organizations prioritize launching green products. Consumers increasingly prefer brands with sustainability commitments, with 40% of online adults in France more willing to buy such products despite higher prices. This trend positions sustainability as a major business opportunity.

Positive

• US and EU are investing $1.4 trillion in environmental sustainability.
• VC funding for green tech stands at $17.5 billion.
• 17% of companies plan to launch new green products.
• 40% of online adults in France prefer products from sustainable brands.

Negative

• None.

Environmental sustainability is primed to be a historic business opportunity with massive investments earmarked to fight climate change

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To combat climate change, governments, investors, consumers, and companies worldwide are stepping up to invest in and embrace more sustainable solutions. Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) estimates that the US and the EU alone are currently spending $1.4 trillion toward environmental sustainability and climate adaptation; there is $17.5 billion in VC funding for green tech; and the market for green financial instruments globally is $658 billion. These factors are combining to create what Forrester terms as the "green market revolution" — a historic business opportunity on par with the first and second industrial revolutions. As a result, companies will no longer view environmental sustainability as primarily an ethical responsibility, but an unprecedented business opportunity that they can't ignore.

The green market revolution is set to transform the transportation, energy, and construction sectors; investment in sustainable finance products; and the sourcing and delivery of sustainable goods and services. Leading firms are pushing past greening their operations to pursue corporate sustainability in all their products and practices. Forrester's 2022 data shows that, among business and tech professionals who indicate that improving sustainability is a priority for their organization, 17% are launching new green products and services. Also, firms that make public environmental sustainability commitments and act on them build trust with their stakeholders and increase their business resiliency.

Forrester outlines key considerations for business, marketing, and technology leaders seeking to capitalize on the green market revolution, which will unfold over the next several decades: 

• The green market will transform societies and the global economy. The green market is not solely about renewable energy and batteries. It will reshape and affect everything we do: how we make products, how we transport ourselves and goods, how we heat and cool our environments, how we finance and protect our assets, and what we eat. B2C CMOs are doubling down on sustainability, with 76% noting that green initiatives are among their top five priorities for the rest of 2022.
• The number of active green consumers will rise. Incentives for consumers to invest in everything from electric vehicles to home energy improvements are making consumers not only more aware of their options but also more likely to make green purchases. Forty percent of online adults in France, 37% in the UK, and 36% in the US would rather purchase products from a brand that takes action on climate change, even if the price of the product is higher.
• New investments in both software and hardware technology for sustainability features will be made. Companies and end-users will rely on hardware such as sensors and software such as AI to enable and track new products. As emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI improve observability and efficiency, companies from consumer-packaged goods to industrial equipment manufacturing will need to embed these capabilities into their products.
• US and EU regulations on risk reporting and sustainable finance will reshape markets. New SEC proposed rules would require publicly traded firms to report their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. In the EU, initiatives including Taxonomy Regulation, the European Green Bond Standard (EU GBS), and the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) will curb corporate greenwashing and provide standards for sustainable finance.
• Russian importing bans will accelerate energy transitions and self-sufficiency. As Western governments ban imports of Russian fossil fuels, they're accelerating a long-term shift to renewable energy to compensate. Germany has accelerated plans to produce 80% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and nearly 100% by 2035. Finland is expanding nuclear power generation, and even Japan is recommitting new nuclear energy investments.

"Environmental sustainability represents a historic business opportunity for companies to develop new products and services and facilitate or enable a new green market," said Sharyn Leaver, chief research officer at Forrester. "Forrester's extensive research on topics including changing consumer attitudes and behaviors, the state of environmental sustainability in the Fortune 200 global, the evolution of green finance and products, and how leaders can incorporate sustainability into their product roadmaps will help companies, government agencies, countries, and cities accelerate their sustainability journeys."

The green market revolution is one of Forrester's signature research themes along with customer obsession, future fit, the future of work, and the trust imperative, designed to help business and technology leaders stay ahead of changing customer and market dynamics.

Resources:

• Visit Forrester's sustainability hub to understand and navigate the green market revolution.
• Read the Forrester report The Green Market Revolution to learn how to prioritize and derive business value from sustainability investments (client access required).
• Forrester's sustainability maturity model helps leaders maximize tangible business value from sustainability investments (client access required).
• The new green market revolution and related research is available to all Forrester Decisions and Forrester Market Insights clients.

About Forrester
Forrester (Nasdaq: FORR) is one of the most influential research and advisory firms in the world. We help leaders across technology, customer experience, digital, marketing, sales, and product functions use customer obsession to accelerate growth. Through Forrester's proprietary research, consulting, and events, leaders from around the globe are empowered to be bold at work — to navigate change and put their customers at the center of their leadership, strategy, and operations. Our unique insights are grounded in annual surveys of more than 700,000 consumers, business leaders, and technology leaders worldwide; rigorous and objective research methodologies, including Forrester Wave™ evaluations; 70 million real-time feedback votes; and the shared wisdom of our clients.

Contact:
Shweta Agarwal
sagarwal@forrester.com

 

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SOURCE Forrester

FAQ

What is the green market revolution according to Forrester?

Forrester refers to the 'green market revolution' as a transformative opportunity arising from significant investments in environmental sustainability, reshaping various sectors.

How much are the US and EU investing in sustainability?

The US and EU are currently investing approximately $1.4 trillion towards environmental sustainability and climate adaptation.

What percentage of companies are launching new green products?

17% of business and tech professionals indicate that improving sustainability is a priority, with plans to launch new green products.

How does consumer preference impact sustainability investments?

40% of online adults in France would prefer to purchase products from brands committed to sustainability, which can influence corporate investment strategies.

What sectors will the green market revolution affect?

The green market revolution is expected to transform sectors including transportation, energy, and construction.