This Earth Day, Americans see the progress made in corporate sustainability, but are looking for companies to further step up their efforts. At the same time, consumers have an expanded definition of sustainability, with social factors increasingly powerful in driving sustainable purchasing decisions.

That's according to a survey of 1,923 US adults conducted by The Conference Board in collaboration with The Harris Poll. Key insights are featured in two reports on consumers' sustainability priorities and their view of progress across sectors.

"For today's consumers, sustainability increasingly means not only climate and conservation but also fairness and corporate citizenship," said Denise Dahlhoff, Senior Researcher at The Conference Board. "Our study reveals how these perceptions and attitudes are uneven across demographic groups, with younger and urban consumers most receptive to sustainability messages. It paints a rich, granular picture of the features that can drive more consumers to consider buying sustainable products going forward."

"Our research with The Conference Board reinforces the unique sustainability inflection point we're seeing with American consumers," said Rob Jekielek, Managing Director at The Harris Poll. "An organization's environmental footprint and impact still matter, but treatment of employees and the workforce is rapidly emerging as a new core pillar and proof point for showcasing an organization's sustainability impact today."