MAM
92 per cent of Indians concerned about the environment: Ipsos India sustainability segmentation survey 2024
Mumbai: A new survey by Ipsos on sustainability, in the backdrop of heightened emphasis on ESG and the quest to save the environment from further damage shows deep concern among Indians for the environment with at least 92 per cent of those polled stating they are concerned and further two thirds believing that our planet was at risk.
Impactful actions – awareness misplaced
Interestingly, the survey revealed, consumers’ actions while well intended were not the actions needed for greater impact. 7 in 10 claimed to know the actions needed to tackle climate change, but they were wrong.
Urban Indians held the view that less packaging, buying fewer items and recycling would be the best actions for saving the planet, but they were seen to be low in impact. On the contrary some of the actions perceived to be low in impact by urban Indians, were seen to be the actions most impactful, but awareness and the implications of those actions had low perception among Indians, particularly for living car free, efficient cooking and efficient housing. Adopting renewable electricity was high on perception and impact.
The survey was done using the Ipsos IndiaBus platform, which is a monthly omnibus study, which runs multiple surveys for clients (the details are provided below).
Activists, busy bystanders and disengaged denialists segments
The survey classified Indians among three segments basis their level of concern and actions they are taking to mitigate their impact on environment.
The largest group of Indians emerged as Busy Bystanders (41 per cent), who held the view that climate change was over blown; they were too caught up in their daily life and environment came out to be a low priority area. The second segment was of Disengaged Denialists (24 per cent), believing environment was not that big a concern and were less inclined to taking any environmental action. And the 3rd segment was of activists (23 per cent), with the belief that environment is at a critical stage and the world must act now.
Group service line leader, public affairs, corporate reputation, ESG and CSR Parijat Chakraborty said, “Our survey shows that Indians mostly do lip service towards their concern for the planet and the environment. So, while they say they are concerned, when we assessed them on their concern vs actual action, most of them were seen to fizzle out. In fact only the segment of consumers named Activists were the torchbearers of planet saviours. Busy Bystanders and Disengaged Denialists were seen to be the disinterested segments with no affinity for environment actions.”
What can marketers do to engage with these three cohorts?
The survey also revealed insights on how marketers could engage with the three segments of consumers.
“Given Activists’ high sustainable consciousness, they are best suited for all sustainable brand options and choices. EVs, sustainable clothing and brands with sustainability in their DNA. Disengaged Denialists who were less interested in environment actions could be wooed by providing products with sustainability as a co-benefit. Also by pulling in the sustainability discourse into the things they like or like to do. Busy Bystanders are the working class with sheer paucity of time and also, they carry some bit of guilt of zilch action on environment. So brands that conserve energy, use recycled packaging or local sourced ingredients will appeal to this cohort,” stated Ipsos India executive director Deepti Chandna.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
