About a month ago I wrote a piece that focused on a survey gauging the reaction of the American public to the BP oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year, at the time I was pretty downhearted at the apparent borderline apathy and reluctant acceptance exhibited via the poll concerning the responsibility of companies when it came to environmental issues. I’m pleased to say a new study reveals some better results with a remaining undercurrent of concern about corporations and their true dedication to responding effectively to such issues.

A new national survey exhibits only 13% of US adults have confidence that corporations possess the adequate knowledge when making decisions about long-term environmental impact. The Harris interactive poll was conducted on behalf of the University of Wisconsin and surveyed more than 1000 adults. Two messages ring clearly from the poll, the vast majority expect corporations to lead the way when it comes to environmental issues but many feel they are not adequately doing so or equipped appropriately. David Schejbal, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Extension Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning division:

“It’s becoming increasingly apparent that sustainable management is not confined to a limited segment of ‘green jobs’. Every job confronts sustainability issues. Educating all business executives about protecting the environment–not just those in ‘green jobs’– is the key to our sustainable future.”

The key message of the poll is that the public has full support for a rededication of corporate efforts in building a more sustainable approach to operations and providing a platform for better environmental protection and response to disasters. Some of the more significant findings include:

• 82 % of U.S. adults agree that company leaders need to learn more about the environment in order to make better decisions

• 78 % agree that it’s time for Corporate America to go back to school and retrain in the basics of how to protect the environment

• 82 % agree that educating business executives about sustainable management will help America remain competitive with the rest of the world

• 32 % of the employed respondents reported that their managers have had some training on the subject of sustainable management business practices

“To compete as this new economy surges forward, today’s corporate leaders must be environmentally agile, eco-literate, and able to respond quickly,” said Schejbal. “We must educate executives already on the job. Future success rises and falls on access to education. Our job as educators now is to focus on delivering environmental and sustainability education to leaders across a company — not just to those in ‘green jobs’.”

The survey provides an interesting barometer of how the public is feeling about corporate responsibility when it comes to the environment, however the overall solution and indeed a measure of success is contingent upon individuals taking their accountability seriously in addition to the practices of corporations of all sizes. In conjunction with that continued changes in regulations will also set a benchmark for improved levels of environmental stewardship. All in all a far more encouraging poll than the one that I wrote about back in August.

For more information about the survey please visit the University of Wisconsin website.