Which big companies are most criticised and most praised in the UK?
A survey has examined the companies charities and other non-governmental organisations most regularly pillory and praise.
Shell has been named the ‘most hated’ company in the UK by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and VW isn’t far behind.
Unsurprisingly, nine of the 20 most criticised companies in the UK were oil, coal or mining companies. Three banks – Standard Chartered Bank, Barclays and HSBC – also appeared in the top 10.
Private research consultancy Sigwatch monitored over 7,500 NGOs last year, keeping track of their work. Almost 6,000 NGO campaigning actions were logged by Sigwatch over 2015 from the likes of Which?, Oxfam and Greenpeace. Actions include the launch of a new campaign, a change in target or tactics, the publication of a new report, the filing of a lawsuit, direct action or a street protest.
The most criticised companies
Here is a rundown of the 10 most criticised companies in the UK in 2015.
1) Shell
2) BP
3) Rio Tinto
4) Volkswagen
5) BHP Billiton
6) Standard Chartered Bank
7) Barclays
8) Nestle
9) HSBC
10) Glencore
Shell’s Arctic drilling proposals sparked a lot of controversy in 2015, causing them to drop way down in the opinions of NGOs. But after a swift cancellation of the drilling, Sigwatch expects it’ll fall further down the list this year. And it's not just in the UK: Shell is the most criticised company worldwide too.
The ‘dieselgate’ emissions scandal was a disaster for Volkswagen in 2015. The German car company didn’t feature anywhere near the most criticised companies in 2014.
Banks were also slammed for issues concerning ‘climate policy and carbon investments’.
The most praised companies
It’s not all bad: some companies have upped their game in the eyes of NGOs this year. Here are the top 10:
1) Marks & Spencer
2) Unilever
3) Nestle
4) Associated British Foods (owner of Primark)
5) Tesco
6) IKEA
7) Sainsbury’s
8) Coca-Cola
9) John Lewis Partnership
10) Barclays Bank
NGOs praise companies for ‘non-core’ or supply chain issues like environmental impacts, sustainable sourcing and tackling animal abuse. Retail firms have done fairly well globally as they respond quickly to consumer concerns and take NGOs equally seriously, according to Sigwatch.
Marks & Spencer is the most the second-most praised company worldwide for adopting ethical practices.
Something look funny?
You may have noticed that Nestle and Barclays appear in both lists.
Sigwatch managing director Robert Blood explains: “Companies that are industry leaders are prime targets for NGO criticism campaigns but sometimes they are also leading positive change in their sectors, so they get praised a lot by NGOs.”
Blood said that some NGOs praise Nestle for initiatives on sustainability issues like water and climate while others highlight issues surrounding infant formula marketing, sugar content in children’s cereals and marketing to children.
Barclays is praised for committing not to invest in environmentally harmful coal mining but criticised for financing fracking and euro Swiss franc mortgages.
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