Amplifying the voices
of young people
across the world

Did you know? 71% of young people aged 18-25 don’t believe their voices are being heard when it comes to environmental sustainability. We think this is a very sad number. Ahead of our Conference of the People (COP), that will take place next week on September 6, we conducted a survey. The results of our research are important to take the right steps of action. Below we have compiled the outcome for you.

Our research surveyed 6,000 young people aged 18-25 from UK, US, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. It has revealed that 94% of them care about the environment. At the same time, however, almost one in five aren’t motivated to help improve sustainability because the focus is always on older generations.

Taking fast action

When asked what they would like to see brands doing more of when it comes to environment and sustainability, taking quicker action came out on top (52%). Making more commitments to change what they’re doing came next (49%), followed by communicating their goals better (40%) and being transparent with customers (34%). Two fifths of them are interested in connecting with brands to actively make the change themselves. It once again became clear that young people want brands to listen to their thoughts and opinions on the climate emergency as well. A quarter (26%) of those surveyed do not feel that there is a platform for their generation’s opinions regarding environmental sustainability. The same amount also said they want brands to create platforms to hear from younger generations.

“With 71% of young people believing that their voices aren’t heard when it comes to environmental sustainability, it’s clear there’s a problem. Gen Z will have to live with climate decisions that are being made today, so we recognise that it’s important that they’re heard in these conversations. My hope is that through Conference of the People, we can give a platform to their voices and create a safe environment for them to collaborate with us, as an industry, on new and better ways of operating.”

Anne-Laure Descours, Chief Sourcing Officer at PUMA 

Eco-anxiety is on the rise amongst young people

Over a third (36%) of them admitted to feeling very anxious about global warming and the climate emergency. The number is highest in Italy (66%). We are planing to tackle this head on. Actress, model, and activist Cara Delevingne will feature in a conversation on how young people can manage the anxieties they’re facing when it comes to the climate crisis.

We want to change this with our Conference of the People (COP)

Our first of its kind event will centre on the voices of Gen Z, as the fashion industry comes together to discuss solutions towards more sustainable processes and practises. Live from London, streamed to the world on pumacop.com. Join us on September 6.

For our one-day event, we have compiled panels that will feature some of the most prominent voices in sustainable fashion along with some famous faces that everyone will recognise, as well as next generation thinkers. Topics for discussion include tackling waste, using more sustainable materials, impacting climate change, and finding ways for the industry to collaborate to achieve results sooner.