| Eighty-four per cent of companies state
they believe it is important to operate in a sustainable manner. However, only three per cent of customers think businesses
are honest about their actions regarding what they are doing to become more environmentally or socially responsible, with 33 per cent believing they exaggerate what they are doing.
Employees also displayed similar scepticism to consumers. The research found that nearly a quarter (23 per cent)of employees do not believe that the organisation they work for is environmentally
and socially responsible. One in five believes that their employer only takes action when forced to by external pressures such as suppliers or customers. Yet contrary to general cynicism,
businesses claim that they do recognise and are tackling the issue of sustainability. The report found that over half (52 per cent) are taking significant steps to improve their impact on the environment
and communities. A further third (32 per cent) say they are doing everything they can. | 
