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Sixty percent of Spaniards recognize the idea of a carbon footprint, yet only 11% can specifically identify their own personal footprint. When asked about awareness of the impact of purchases on carbon footprint, the number rises to 32%, and 77% express a desire to learn more. Furthermore, 66% base purchasing choices on a supplier’s sustainability commitments. These figures come from Mastercard’s Perception of Sustainability in Spain barometer, prepared alongside Areas and WorldCoo within a broader sustainability campaign. The initiative encourages solidarity by rounding up purchases at regional airport, rail, and highway stations to support the Priceless Planet Coalition launched in 2020, with a target of planting 100 million trees by 2025.

What would Spaniards trade to lower their carbon footprint?

Forty-nine percent of Hispanics are aware of a specific measure to reduce their carbon footprint, with higher awareness among women (52%) and those aged 30 to 44 (53%). When asked to name key actions believed to cut emissions, respondents point to recycling and reusing (64%), responsible consumption (56%), generating less waste (52%), and minimizing travel by any mode of transport (40%).

Spaniards identify air travel (34%) and car use (26%) as the top contributors to CO2 emissions, followed by clothing purchases (11%) and electronic devices (6%) over long distances. They also indicate the activities they would curb to lessen environmental impact, prioritizing reductions in air travel (39%), car travel (36%), clothing purchases (34%), and electronics purchases (25%).

This is how carbon footprints influence purchasing decisions

Among the 66% who say they consider a supplier’s sustainability practices when buying, about 11% always and 55% sometimes do so. Half of respondents (51%) report stopping a product purchase due to a company’s environmental behavior or low sustainability reputation, with 34% doing so repeatedly and 17% on a single occasion. The remaining 49% have never halted a purchase because of a supplier’s sustainability record.

When asked about interest in knowing a product’s CO2 balance at the moment of purchase, 60% want this information and factor it into decisions. Twenty-four percent wish to know the CO2 balance even if it does not drive their choices, while 16% prefer not to know. The preferred method to access this data is a simple traffic-light style label showing CO2 emissions, cited by 43% of respondents as the primary way to learn more about footprint impact.

Eight-eight percent of respondents prefer electronic invoicing for their shopping.

Nearly 90% of participants favor electronic invoices for purchases across most businesses (59%) or at certain businesses (29%), while 12% still prefer paper invoices. Those who favor e-invoices cite the ability to reduce their carbon footprint (62.4%) and convenience (28.3%) as main reasons. Only 9.3% of e-invoice supporters say stores offer this option directly.

Those who reject electronic tickets do so mainly due to concerns about security (52%). Other reasons include uncertainty about how to use the apps for saving tickets (27%) or the regular store not providing this option (22%).

More than nine in ten employees are unaware of their company’s ESG work

The Mastercard barometer also examines ESG criteria knowledge. Ninety-five percent of respondents do not know what these criteria entail. After explanations, over 90% remain unaware of their employer’s ESG initiatives, and 94% are unaware of the carbon footprint produced by the company they work for. Nevertheless, 73% of workers want to be in a workplace that respects the environment and acts on climate change, with 70% stressing this as very or very important.

Mastercard’s commitment to sustainability

A core aim of the Perception of Sustainability in Spain barometer is to gauge how informed and concerned citizens are about sustainability, how they apply it daily, and what role it plays in their purchasing choices and knowledge of corporate actions. Mastercard letters this sustainability focus as a pillar of its broader strategy, developed alongside domains and WorldCoo, rather than just through campaigns or the Priceless Planet Coalition. Other sustainability efforts include a carbon footprint calculator created with the Swedish fintech Doconomy, enabling consumers to view the estimated footprint of their purchases, and Mastercard Donation technology to support environmental causes, potentially offsetting emissions. Mastercard also commits to reducing emissions across its operations and value chain to achieve net-zero by 2040.

Paloma Real, Managing Director of Mastercard Spain, described the barometer as highlighting two key points: a persistent gap in public knowledge about sustainability and, strikingly, a strong willingness among citizens to tackle the climate crisis. She urged companies to act as facilitators and guides, equipping people with tools to mitigate climate effects. Mastercard’s sustainability pledge forms part of its ESG strategy aimed at impacting people, the planet, and well-being for all.

For more on Mastercard’s sustainability commitments, the 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance ESG Annual Report provides details.

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments sector. Its mission is to connect and strengthen an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Leveraging secure data and networks, partnerships, and innovation, Mastercard supports individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses in realizing their full potential. With a presence in more than 210 countries and regions, Mastercard aims to build a sustainable world that opens up possibilities for all, a priceless platform for everyone.

The note states that the Mastercard Perception of Sustainability in Spain barometer involved 1,500 interviews with people aged 16-65 across Spain, conducted from June 8 to June 20, 2023.[1]”}

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