(coauthored by Forrester Senior Analysis Affiliate Victoria Manes)
In Europe, a troublesome financial and geopolitical context is contributing to more and more polarized discussions on the atmosphere. European customers are forming 4 distinct teams with regard to how their consumption habits affect each the atmosphere and their each day lives:
Nation-Degree Stereotypes No Longer Apply: Southern Europe Leads In Inexperienced Shoppers
Whereas Europe’s inexperienced segments might look homogeneous, customers’ behaviors and attitudes fluctuate between nations. One standard perception is that German customers are the greenest whereas these in Southern Europe lag behind. Our information signifies that it’s time to revisit these stereotypes:
- Italian customers are among the many greenest. Italy has the best share of Lively Greens and the bottom share of Non-Greens, adopted by Spain and France. Italy has the highest air air pollution in Europe and is without doubt one of the EU nations that has suffered probably the most from latest warmth waves.
- Spanish customers are smitten by inexperienced merchandise. Spanish on-line adults are the almost definitely among the many 5 largest European economies to be prepared to pay extra for environmentally pleasant merchandise. A majority want to perceive how their purchases affect the atmosphere and really feel upset once they discover out packaging isn’t recyclable or compostable.
- French customers usually tend to be Dormant Greens. Whereas French on-line adults are primarily Dormant Greens, just one in 5 French on-line adults suppose that decreasing their environmental affect is an excessive amount of work.
- German and UK customers’ inexperienced behaviors and attitudes lag. Germany has the best share of Non-Greens and second-lowest share of Lively Greens after the UK. Whereas manufacturers that interact with UK customers shouldn’t ignore inexperienced options, they have to concentrate on native behaviors and attitudes. UK customers are the almost definitely to agree that they like cheaper merchandise to environmentally pleasant ones.
Beware Age-Associated Stereotypes: Older Generations Are Far Greener Than You May Assume
Forrester’s inexperienced segmentation reveals that the correlation between age and inexperienced behaviors and attitudes is partly true globally. However that is removed from apparent in Europe, the place sustainability and local weather change rank larger on political and social agendas and inexperienced behaviors have unfold quickly throughout all generations. Our information reveals that:
- Gen Z isn’t probably the most actively inexperienced technology. Companies and the media are inclined to typecast Gen Zers (born between 1997 and 2012) because the sustainability technology — a stereotype that’s bolstered by the hype surrounding younger activists comparable to Greta Thunberg. Gen Zers’ relationship with environmental sustainability, nevertheless, is extra nuanced than these lazy assumptions recommend: They worth environmental consciousness however anticipate seamless, prompt experiences; they demand sustainable merchandise however are the prime consumers of quick trend; and so they’re almost definitely to agree {that a} low-cost or handy product is extra priceless to them than an eco-friendly one.
- Older generations are typically Lively Greens moderately than Handy Greens. Whereas older generations include extra Non-Greens, the important thing distinction is the distribution between Lively and Handy Greens. The proportion of Lively Greens among the many Silent Technology is considerably larger than amongst Gen Zers. Why? Older generations have the money and time to behave on the values that their kids and grandchildren have instilled in them.
Purchasers who wish to higher perceive customers’ inexperienced behaviors and attitudes can learn a sequence of brand-new experiences beneath and may also schedule a dialog with me to enter the small print of what all of it means for them.
Forrester’s 2024 Inexperienced Client Segmentation: Europe
The State Of The French Shopper And Environmental Sustainability, 2024
The State Of The Italian Shopper And Environmental Sustainability, 2024
The State Of The UK Shopper And Environmental Sustainability, 2024