More than half (58 percent) of Arab youth are ready to support calls to boycott brands that damage the environment.
This comes with increasing worry about the impact of climate change on their daily lives.
Conducted by ASDA’A BCW, the annual Arab Youth Survey this year evaluated the perceptions about climate change among Arab youth. SixthFactor Consulting, a leading research company, was commissioned to conduct the 15th edition of the survey.
The findings from the survey were announced yesterday to coincide with the Zero Emissions Day, an international day of action to secure a cleaner future and combat global warming.
Underpinning the immediacy of climate change in the region, nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of all respondents said global warming is already impacting their life.
Majority of youth vote for technology as the solution to the climate change challenge.
According to reports, the region is warming twice as faster than the rest of the world, and temperatures are set to increase by at least 4 degree C by 2050, if greenhouse gas emissions increase at the current rate.
Sunil John, President, MENA, BCW and Founder of ASDA’A BCW, said: “The Middle East is home to some of the world’s largest energy producers and proven oil and gas reserves. This has positioned the Arab world at the heart of the global climate change dialogue.
“With Egypt hosting COP27 UN Climate Change Conference in 2022 and the UAE preparing to welcome the world for COP28 this year, the region is once again in the global spotlight.
“However, it is less reported that the MENA region also bears the severe brunt of climate change, with heatwaves and flash floods not only affecting livelihoods but also threatening social security and driving people to migrate to newer lands.
“Amidst all this, it is encouraging that the region’s largest demographic, its over 200 million youth, understand the implications of climate change.
“Most are also willing to support the boycott of brands damaging nature. It is important that businesses take heed of their sentiment and make genuine efforts to minimise their environmental impact by aligning their values with the aspirations of the region’s youth,” John added.
Last year, ASDA’A BCW launched OnePoint5, an environment, social and governance (ESG) communications offering.
The theme of the survey is ‘Living a New Reality’. All the published findings are available with commentaries at arabyouthsurvey.com.
