A quarter of consumers think large companies have a negative impact on the environment, research from Kingfisher shows - although new figures reveal that retailers are in fact doing well on their green targets.
A YouGov poll carried out on behalf of Kingfisher ahead of the official launch today of its Net Positive approach to doing business shows that only 24% of the population think large companies have a positive effect on their local community and environment, with 26% actually believing they have a negative impact.

More than half are sceptical about why companies spend time and money on such measures, believing their motivations are to make more money, and only 5% think it's because they want to do their bit to help the future of their local community and environment.

However, 41% do agree that big business can really make a positive difference.

Kingfisher CEO Ian Cheshire will today unveil the company's Net Positive plans to do more than just minimise Kingfisher's impact and to actually make a net positive contribution across four key areas: energy, innovation, timber and communities. Amongst initiatives will be a new forestry scheme designed to revive neglected woodlands, support stronger levels of biodiversity, reconnect with local communities and encourage jobs and skills in a sector with an ability to provide sustainable products and low carbon fuels.

"There are great examples of how large companies are recognising their responsibilities," Mr Cheshire says, "but much more can be done by big business to restore the public's faith in our corporate sector."

Kingfisher's Net Positive launch comes as independent figures from WRAP confirm that retailers are continuing to achieve good progress on meeting their waste-related targets. Supply chain waste is 8.8% down on the base year of 2009 - well ahead of the 5% reduction target - and the 10% reduction in the carbon impact of packaging, to be achieved over the three years, is three-quarters of the way to being met.