Bangalore: 86% of the respondents in India believe that technology is the key to fighting climate change, according to the latest Bosch Tech Compass 2023 survey conducted in seven countries – Brazil, China, Germany, France, India, the U.K., and the U.S.
Sustainable technologies and economic success
Respondents largely agree on the economic potential of sustainable solutions and products: a full 82% believe that the more a company commits to sustainable technologies, the more economically successful it will be in the future.
This view is most prevalent in India and Brazil (each 87%); by comparison, it is least prevalent in the US (73%).
When it comes to the business community’s commitment to climate action, the survey suggests that there is still room for improvement: more than half of those polled (58%) believe that only a minority of businesses are seriously committed to sustainability at present.
“Today, it has become paramount for companies to focus on technologies that keep sustainability at the forefront. At Bosch, we aim to push the boundaries of innovation while ensuring the safety of the environment and community,” said Vadiraj Krishnamurthy, CTO, VP, Bosch Global Software Technologies (BGSW).
Combating climate change with different technologies
Many parts of the world are shifting to renewable energy, but people across the globe are still reluctant to completely abandon nuclear power and fossil fuels such as gas and oil for power generation.
A total of 62% of respondents are in favour of promoting solar power, while 44% want to see efforts to promote wind-power technologies. However, these opinions differ by country. People in India (oil: 22%, gas: 23%) and the US (oil: 21%, gas: 24%) are still more committed to oil and gas technologies than other nations (global figures: oil: 14%, gas: 15%).
Trust in technology is growing
The survey shows that, in a world beset by uncertainties, trust in technology has grown since the previous year. Globally, 75% of the people polled now believe that technological progress can make the world a better place (2022: 72%). What’s more, 83% of respondents believe that technology holds the key to combating climate change (2022: 76%), with Indians (84%) having the most likely attitude towards advances in technology, following China (90%).
Mobility in the metaverse
Apart from sustainability, the Tech Compass also provides interesting insights into other issues – such as the metaverse. In this virtual world, where people interact as avatars in a three-dimensional space modelled on reality, mobility will also play a role: 43% of respondents can imagine buying a car for the metaverse.
Interest and willingness to do so are especially high in China (75%) and India (69%). And although respondents in Brazil (47%), the U.S. (33%), the U.K. (30%), Germany (26%), and France (23%) are still somewhat more sceptical, the numbers show that the desire for a car exists not only in the real world but in virtual reality as well.