Asia is known for having many people, languages, and cultures, and now…sustainability? Research has shown that many people in Asia want to be more green, which means businesses and governments need to keep up with this green mindset.Research conducted on consumers in India, China, and Singapore shows customers in those countries prefer to purchase green products. According to the study, 74% said they already buy items that are labeled as green products, and 84% would be willing to pay more for these or new green products, simply because they are more sustainable.
Unfortunately, some businesses have not been listening to their customers, because they are not creating enough green products to meet this demand.The study showed that in the areas researched, including food and beverage, home electronics, and clothing and footwear, only 43% sell or trade green products. However, some product areas, such as electronics, are seeing a large introduction of green items, especially compared to other product groups.
Other countries in Asia are seeing increased interest in sustainability, and are trying to adapt to this change. For example, South Korea now offers a green credit card to consumers. When a consumer adopts more sustainable practices, such as taking public transportation or buying green products, he or she earns credit card rewards. These rewards can be redeemed for money or decreased utility bills. If businesses in Asia meet the green demands of their consumers, there could be a drastic increase in sustainable practices, which will hopefully influence other parts of the world to follow suit.