The FSC commissioned research to understand global mainstream consumers and their green habits, values, purchasing habits, and barriers to green behavior. The research used GfK's Green Gauge segmentation to classify over 9,000 respondents from 11 markets into 5 green segments based on their attitudes and behaviors. The research found that most consumers are concerned about environmental issues like pollution and climate change. At a global level, over 80% see these issues as serious problems. However, consumers' green actions vary, with behaviors like conserving energy and recycling being more common than activism. Most consumers believe their purchases can make an environmental difference and many intend to increase sustainable spending. However, barriers like cost prevent greener actions for some. Consumers hold

1. © Inger Kærgaard
A mainstream concern:
®
FSC Global Consumer Research Highlights

2. Background and objectives
Our goals
The FSC commissioned this research to
better understand the global mainstream
consumer.
As part of our research we asked some
general questions, the answers from which
we are sharing here.
• Profiles global mainstream consumers
in terms of their green habits/values and
purchasing habits
• Looks at loyalty to green brands
• Looks at influence of for profit brands on
purchasing of FSC certified products
• Looks at barriers to green behavior
GfK consumer segmentation
The Global Green Consumer Classification
Scheme segment consumers by their green
attitudes/behaviors via GfK’s global Green
Gauge® segmentation.
Green Gauge is calibrated to address cultural
differences in the green category. It also
provides diagnostics for nearly 20 green
behaviors and attitudes.

3. Study design:
11 MARKETS
937
904
908
906
923
536
927
455
924
909
910
Maximum of 75 % urban
in Brazil, South Africa,
India and China
9 000+ RESPONDENTS
Age:
21-64
35
%
65
%
Minimum 100 women
with kids at home
Data for this study were collected from September 12 - 19, 2013, via online interviews sourced from opt-in online panels, using an online consumer sample that excluded the Green Gauge
Jaded segment and that met all quota and respondent qualification criteria for the study.

4. GfK Green Gauge
THE SEVEN DIMENSIONS OF GREEN
CONCERNS
1. Concerns/
Seriousness of
environmental
issues
ATTITUDES
2. Attitudes
towards
environmental
responsibility
The GfK Green Gauge Global
Segmentation algorithm was
used to clasify participants in
this research. This approach
profiles people broadly on multiple
dimensions of green attitudes and
behaviors.
3. Barriers
to green
living
BEHAVIORS
4. Attitudes
towards
green
products
5. Consumption
decisions
6. Activism
7. Information
seeking and
influence

5. Segment definitions: 5 green consumer segments
The greenest segment. This
group shows the highest
concern for the environment,
and they put their money
where their mouth is when it
comes to green behavior.
Many of these people are
located in markets where
green has long been on the
national agenda (mostly the
developed world). As a result
they show a high degree of
concern for the environment,
but some of their behaviors
lack.
A group that exists almost
exclusively in the developing
world. They have the desire,
but lack the means and
know-how to be more green.
Given the right tools, these
people could climb the
environmental ladder and
become Green inDeeds.
“Green” to this group
is a status symbol. The
environment is only skin deep
to them. They are less likely
to have core green values,
but they will participate if it
means they can display their
green badge of honor.
They do things that are
expected of them like
recycling and conserving
energy/water, but many of the
“harder” behaviours are still
at or below global norms.
A cynical an skeptical group. This group claims to be knowledgeable about the environment but is less concerned about itand does not
want issues to stand in the way of economic progress. Some may have rejected the “green movement”, and even be overly horsile towards
it. The proportion of Jaded consumers in the markets being tested is between 4 to 45 percent, underscoring the importance of using a
culturally-balanced segmentation scheme to classify customers when conducting global research.
In this survey Jaded consumers were screened out - as such our sample reflects consumers in each country who assign at least some
importance to environmental issues.

6. Green inDeed on the seven dimensions of green
Least
concerned
Least
Responsibitly
Most
Barriers
Least
Accepting
Least
Consideration
Least
Activism
Least
Informed
CONCERNS
ATTITUDES TOWARDS RESPONSIBILITY
BARRIERS TO GREEN
ATTITUDES TOWARDS GREEN PRODUCTS
CONSUMPTION DECISIONS
CONSUMPTION ACTIVISM
INFORMATION SEEKING AND INFLUENCE
Most
concerned
Most
Responsibiity
Fewest
Barriers
Most
Accepting
Most
Consideration
Most
Activism
Most
Informed

7. Carbon Cultured on the seven dimensions of green
Least
concerned
Least
Responsibitly
Most
Barriers
Least
Accepting
Least
Consideration
Least
Activism
Least
Informed
CONCERNS
Most
concerned
ATTITUDES TOWARDS RESPONSIBILITY
BARRIERS TO GREEN
Most
Responsibiity
Fewest
Barriers
ATTITUDES TOWARDS GREEN PRODUCTS
CONSUMPTION DECISIONS
Most
Accepting
Most
Consideration
CONSUMPTION ACTIVISM
INFORMATION SEEKING AND INFLUENCE
Most
Activism
Most
Informed

8. Green in Need on the seven dimensions of green
Least
concerned
Least
Responsibitly
Most
Barriers
Least
Accepting
Least
Consideration
Least
Activism
Least
Informed
CONCERNS
ATTITUDES TOWARDS RESPONSIBILITY
BARRIERS TO GREEN
ATTITUDES TOWARDS GREEN PRODUCTS
CONSUMPTION DECISIONS
CONSUMPTION ACTIVISM
INFORMATION SEEKING AND INFLUENCE
Most
concerned
Most
Responsibiity
Fewest
Barriers
Most
Accepting
Most
Consideration
Most
Activism
Most
Informed

9. Glamour Green on the seven dimensions of green
Least
concerned
Least
Responsibitly
Most
Barriers
Least
Accepting
Least
Consideration
Least
Activism
Least
Informed
CONCERNS
ATTITUDES TOWARDS RESPONSIBILITY
BARRIERS TO GREEN
ATTITUDES TOWARDS GREEN PRODUCTS
CONSUMPTION DECISIONS
CONSUMPTION ACTIVISM
INFORMATION SEEKING AND INFLUENCE
Most
concerned
Most
Responsibiity
Fewest
Barriers
Most
Accepting
Most
Consideration
Most
Activism
Most
Informed

10. FSC study: GfK Green Gauge segments by country
Brazil
Germany
24 %
China
South Africa
23 %
32 %
45 %
50 %
14 %
40 %
37 %
43 %
16 %
2%
12 %
Spain
21 %
Australia
35 %
34 %
24 %
9% 9%
India
UK
31 %
31 %
34 %
27 %
31 %
54 %
28 %
3%
12 %
34 %
1%
4%
40 %
2%
France
Hong Kong
Japan
18 %
23 %
27 %
45 %
41 %
29 %
62 %
13 %
5%
Green inDeed (3,084)
Green in Need (591)
Carbon Cultured (2,161)
32 %
3%
2%
Very few countries
have meaningful
numbers of the
Green in Need
segments.
Glamour Green (3,403)

11. FSC study: GfK Green Gauge segments by country
Europe:
Closer balance
between Green
inDeed, Carbon
Cultured, and
Glamour Green.
France
Spain
Germany
27 %
32 %
35 %
45 %
41 %
29 %
2%
21 %
UK
3%
2%
28 %
27 %
31 %
34 %
40 %
2%
Hong Kong
China
Brazil
24 %
14 %
12 %
Green inDeed
India
23 %
50 %
40 %
31 %
43 %
62 %
13 %
9% 9%
Carbon Cultured
3%
Green in Need
Glamour Green
54 %
12 %
4%
Developing
countries: Majority
of respondents fall
into Green inDeed
and Glamour Green,
thus exhibiting
stronger green
behaviors and
attitudes whether
genuinely committed
or as a skin-deep
badge of honor.

12. CONSUMERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
© Helder Almeida

13. Consumers are concerned: Global level
The majority
of consumers
around the world
find both
environmental
pollution and
global climate
change/global
warming a high
concern.
ENVIRONMENTAL
POLLUTION
14 %
3%
15 %
84
Extremely or very serious
Somewhat serious
Not very or not at all serious
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE/
GLOBAL WARMING
%
84 % find
environmental pollution
extremely or very
serious
3%
82
%
82 % find
global climate change/
global warming
extremely or very
serious
Q: Using a scale from 1 to 5, where “1” means “Not at all serious” and “5” means “Extremely serious”, please rate how serious a problem you think each of the following issues is? Base = Total (9,239)

14. Consumers are concerned: Country level
Environmental pollution
Global Climate Change/
Global Warming
Europeans set the average for
belief in the seriousness of
environmental pollution and
climate change. Asians show the
least concern, while people in
Brazil, South Africa and India are
most concerned.
7272
6565
6060
5656
5555
5050
4848 46
46
46
46
4040
4545
4242
3939 39 3838
39
3737
2626
1717
Brazil
Brazil
Brazil
South
Africa
India
ABOVE AVERAGE
CONCERN
Numbers show % Extremely Serious Concern
Spain
France Germany
AVERAGE
CONCERN
UK
Australia
Japan
2727
3131
2626
2020
Hong
Kong
China
BELOW AVERAGE
CONCERN

15. HOW DO CONSUMERS ACT UPON THIS CONCERN?
© gpointstudio

16. Consumer actions: Everyday life
Conserve energy
Conserve water
Recycle
84 84
84
78
78 78
75
75 75
8484
8484
7878
7878
7575
7575
Consider green
when purchasing
8484
84
52 52
52
Use green
transportation
7878
78
51 51
51
Use greener
home/car energy
7575
75
47 47
47
Talk about it
40 40
40
5252
5252
5151
5151
4747
4747
4040
4040
5252
52
25 25
25
5151
51
20 20
20
4747
47
19 19
19
4040
40
Research co.
practices
2525
2525
2525
25
Volunteer
2020
2020
2020
20
Contribute
money
Consumers respond
to their concerns
about pollution and
climate change
by acting green.
However, the
motivation is highest
if the green behavior
is easily incorporated
into their everyday
life and routine.
Q: Please indicate how often you or
someone in your household does it:
1919
1919
All or most of the time
1919
19
Almost never or never
Some of the time
Numbers show % All or most of the
time.
Base = Total (9,239)

17. Consumer actions: Everyday life
TOP ACTIONS
Green behavior is more
likely if the consumer
gains a direct benefit.
Green actions are
least likely when the
consumer has to invest
time and energy into the
behaviour.
Conserve energy
8484
84
Conserve water
84 84
84
78
78 78
75
75 75
5252
52
5151
51
4747
47
Research co.
practices
52 52
52
7878
78
51 51
51
Volunteer
Recycle
7575
75
Contribute
money
47 47
47
2525
25
2020
20
20 20
20
40 40
40
1919
19
25 25
25
4040
40
19 19
19
BOTTOM ACTIONS
Numbers shown % All or most of the time.

18. Consumer actions: Purchase behavior
Globally, most consumers believe their
purchases can make a difference and
many intend to increase their ecospending in the next year.
59
%
I am willing to
pay more for ecofriendly/green
products.
76
%
The purchasing
choices I make can
make a difference to
the environment.
60
%
I plan to spend more
on eco-friendly/
green products in
the next year.
Q: Please tell us how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Base = Total (9,239)
53
%
I am less likely to
switch to brands when
a product is ecofriendly/green than
when a product is not.
Furthermore, the majority of consumers are
willing to pay more for eco-friendly products
and are less likely to switch brands, when
the product is green.
Numbers show % Agree Somewhat/Strongly

19. Consumer actions: Purchase behavior
88
79
88
71
73
79
63
71
63
74
73
50
49
56
49
9
63
71
63
74
73
49
56
50 49
50
56
48
55
74
48
I am willing to pay more for
eco-friendly products.
Green inDeed (3,084)
48
55
56
62
56
I plan to spend more on ecofriendly/green products in the
next year.
The purchasing choices I make
can make a difference to the
environment.
73
50
56
74
Carbon Cultured (2,161)
56 55
55
48
62
56
62
46
51
48 46
48
51
62
Green inDeed
51
consumers believe 51
48
48
46
46
most in the impact
of eco-conscious
spending, are most
willing to pay more for
eco-friendly products,
and plan to increase
eco-spending in the
next year.
Carbon Cultured
consumers are least
likely to spend more or
increase spending on
eco-friendly products.
I am less likely to switch
brands when a product is
eco-friendly/green than when a
product is not.
Green in Need (591)
Glamour Green (3,403)
Numbers show % Agree Somewhat/Strongly

20. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM?
© FSC Denmark

21. Responsibility and barriers to being green
80
Br
%
of consumers strongly or slighty
agree that companies should be
responsible for fixing the problem.
nd
a
55
%
42
%
Being green is too
expensive.
The government
should address
the problem.
28
%
I am too busy.
21
%
Familiy rejects
eco-friendly
products.
51
%
29
%
I don’t know how
to do more.
80
55
51
42
29
Eco-friendly
products don’t
work as well.
25
39
%
28
28
25
28
21
29
25
First comes
economic
security.
27
28
43
33
13
7
18
31
46
50
Agree strongly
or slighty
Neither
22
Disagree
slighty or
strongly
Green numbers show % Strongly/Slighty Agree.
Q: How much do you agree or disagree with each of these statements regarding your lifestyle and attitudes toward the envrionment, please use a scale where “1” means “disagree strongly” and “5” means “agree strongly”.
Base = Total (9,239)

22. Consumers trust varies
50
%
44
%
Awards and
recognition by
independent third
party sources
Certification
seals are the
most trusted
source of
information on a
product’s level
of environmental
and social
responsibility.
20
of consumers fully trust
certification seals or labels
on products packaging.
34
%
Consumer reviews,
ratings, blogs or
message boards
43
%
Friends, family
or co-workers
34
26
%
of consumers fully trust
company advertising.
22
%
Media reports
%
Company website or a
company’s Facebook page
50
%
44
49
44
32
CSR or
sustainability
reports
Government
information or
reports
31
7
43
52 5
34
57
9
34
56
10
53
32
%
5
31
%
Statements
made on
product
packaging
59
61
26
22
61
20
Fully trust
60
May or may not trust
15
10
13
18
20
DO NOT trust
Green numbers show % Fully Trust.
Q: How much do you trust each of the following sources to inform you about whether or not a product is environmentally friendly and socially responsible? (“I fully trust this source” to “I do not trust this source at all”.
Base = Total (9,239)

23. Impact of ENGOs and for-profit brands on the FSC label
69
%
63
%
65
%
would trust the FSC label more
when endorsed by non-profit
organisation WWF
would trust the FSC label
more when endorsed by
for-profit organisation HP
Surprisingly,
when it comes
to building
consumer trust
for-profit brands
show to be as
influential as nonprofit ENGOs.
64
%
would trust the FSC label more
when endorsed by non-profit
organisation Greenpeace
would trust the FSC label more
when endorsed by for-profit
organisation Kleenex
Respondents rated from a list of preselected options on a three point positive influence scale.
Numbers shown are in percentage.
Q: If you learned that the Forest Stewardship Council was endorsed by each of the following, how would that relationship influence you to look for the FSC seal on products? / Q: The Forest Stewardship Council certifies a
number of brands and retailers. They support the FSC’s efforts to encourage more responsible forest management. If you learned that these brands and retailers offer FSC-certified products, how would that influence your
feelings toward the Forest Stweardship Council? Base = Total (9,239)

24. Summary
1
2
3
Consumers are highly concerned
about environmental pollution and
global warming/global climate
change. And they want to do
their part by purchasing ‘green’
products.
Consumers believe that
companies are responsible for
solving environmental challenges,
but have high distrust for
companies specific messaging on
this topic.
Consumers trust is highest
for certification seals or labels
on product packaging, which
tell them if the product is
environmentally and socially
responsible.
4
5
6
Consumers report that trusted and
well-known brands can positively
influence their green purchasing
decisions.
The credibility of a certification
seal together with the consumer
equity of a trusted brand equals
an influence that is greater than
either group can exercise alone.
Telling the FSC story in
conjunction with a trusted brand
makes it easy for shoppers to be
confident that the company is
taking care of the environment.
© FSC Germany

25. Let’s talk...
If you would like to collaborate or discuss working with
FSC to achieve your sustainability goals please contact:
Marcelle Peuckert, Business Development Director
m.peuckert@fsc.org
Carla Tavares, Marketing Manager
c.tavares@fsc.org
© Uwe Sayer

26. Forest Stewardship Council®
FSC Global Development GmbH
Charles de Gaulle Straße 5
53113 Bonn, Germany
T +49 (0) 228 367 660
F +49 (0) 228 367 66 30
www.fsc.org
FSC® F000100
Copyright © 2013 FSC G.D. All rights reserved