Eco-anxiety: A Growing Threat to Employee Productivity and Well-being
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Eco-anxiety: A Growing Threat to Employee Productivity and Well-being

11 December 2023 / Report

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Eco-anxiety—anxiety about the climate and environment—is a growing phenomenon affecting not only young people but workers of all ages. This report summarizes the key takeaways from discussions and interviews with senior executives, as well as findings from a survey of workers exploring eco-anxiety and their expectations of employers.

Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™ 

  • Eco  -anxiety is increasingly prevalent across all working age groups and presents a growing risk to employee well-being. Some 43% of survey respondents say they experience eco-anxiety often or almost always. Reported impacts of eco-anxiety include a sense of powerlessness, work demotivation, and lost focus. Businesses that listen and respond to their employees’ concerns can mitigate risk and enhance employee wellbeing, resilience, and productivity.
  • In response to eco-anxiety, individuals are incorporating eco-friendly practices into their personal lives and are seeking proactive leadership from their employers. An important part of this leadership is greater awareness of the issue—52% of respondents think that their employer is unaware of eco-anxiety as a workplace issue. Some 60% wants employers to do more to address the causes of eco-anxiety. Actions supported by respondents include companies setting stretch environmental targets, lobbying governments, and helping employees to take collective measures for the environment.
  • An integrated approach can help companies address eco-anxiety among their workforces. A cross-functional approach can break down barriers between well-being, ESG teams, and stakeholders in Talent and Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DEI). This collaboration facilitates coordinated interventions that address eco-anxiety and promote well-being—two crucial aspects of talent retention and sustainable business success. 

Eco-anxiety—anxiety about the climate and environment—is a growing phenomenon affecting not only young people but workers of all ages. This report summarizes the key takeaways from discussions and interviews with senior executives, as well as findings from a survey of workers exploring eco-anxiety and their expectations of employers.

Trusted Insights for What’s Ahead™ 

  • Eco  -anxiety is increasingly prevalent across all working age groups and presents a growing risk to employee well-being. Some 43% of survey respondents say they experience eco-anxiety often or almost always. Reported impacts of eco-anxiety include a sense of powerlessness, work demotivation, and lost focus. Businesses that listen and respond to their employees’ concerns can mitigate risk and enhance employee wellbeing, resilience, and productivity.
  • In response to eco-anxiety, individuals are incorporating eco-friendly practices into their personal lives and are seeking proactive leadership from their employers. An important part of this leadership is greater awareness of the issue—52% of respondents think that their employer is unaware of eco-anxiety as a workplace issue. Some 60% wants employers to do more to address the causes of eco-anxiety. Actions supported by respondents include companies setting stretch environmental targets, lobbying governments, and helping employees to take collective measures for the environment.
  • An integrated approach can help companies address eco-anxiety among their workforces. A cross-functional approach can break down barriers between well-being, ESG teams, and stakeholders in Talent and Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DEI). This collaboration facilitates coordinated interventions that address eco-anxiety and promote well-being—two crucial aspects of talent retention and sustainable business success. 

Practical Next Steps 

Addressing employees’ concerns about eco-anxiety can enhance a company’s employee value proposition and contribute to improved sustainability performance. Companies can begin by:

  • Finding out how prevalent eco-anxiety is in your workforce;
  • Engaging leaders across functions to provide joined-up responses;
  • Acting to mitigate climate change through organizational strategies; 
  • Demonstrating evidence of pro-environmental actions;
  • Validating eco-anxiety as a healthy response to what’s happening;
  • Creating channels for employees to voice their concerns and hopes; 
  • Equipping managers to have conversations with employees about eco-anxiety; and
  • Providing ways for employees to take collective environmental action. 
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Authors

Alison Maitland

Alison Maitland Alison Maitland

Senior Fellow, Human Capital
The Conference Board

Read Bio

Marion Devine

Marion Devine Marion Devine

Principal Researcher, Human Capital, Europe
The Conference Board

Read Bio

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