We are pleased to share a summary of the results from the 3-minute survey conducted between April 30 to May 15, 2020. We asked diverse segments of professionals in the environmental industry the actions their companies have taken and the expectations regarding future business and practices for environmental due diligence work.
Learn how companies represented by a diversity of segments including local, regional, national and global players, with varying employee sizes and from regions across the country, are facing the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you to all those who contributed to these findings.
ERIS mounted a 3-minute survey to better understand the impacts that the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was having on the environmental due diligence industry – both business impacts and its practice. The survey was fielded from April 30 to May 15, 2020.
RESPONSIVE ACTIONS TAKEN BY COMPANIES AS A RESULT OF THE LOCKDOWN
Significant impacts to the industry are reflected in a range of actions taken by companies since March due to the pandemic, including:
Other impacts include reduced work weeks, voluntary vacation/leave, status of employees from f/time to p/time, cost-cutting and other purchase delays, as well as the suspension or significant modification of fieldwork.
OUTLOOK FOR THE THIRD QUARTER REGARDING THE VOLUME OF BUSINESS EXPECTED
While a significant share of companies (43%) believe the volume of business will be less (somewhat or significantly) in the third quarter of the year compared to their first quarter, about one-third of respondents (34%) expect they will have higher volumes than the first quarter of the year (somewhat or significantly higher). And nearly one-quarter (23%) will experience about the same volume.
Compared to the first quarter of this year (January to March), what would you say will be the outlook for your company in the third quarter (July, August, September) with regard to the volume of business you expect?
EXPECTED TIMEFRAME FOR COMPANIES TO GET BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC VOLUMES
With a lifting of emergency and/or ‘shelter in place’ orders being lifted or phased-in during the second quarter of this year, six in ten companies (61%) are optimistic about their expectations for business returning to pre-pandemic levels within 6 months – or within the calendar year of 2020. Just under one-fifth (18%) believe it will take ‘9 plus months’ for that to happen, so well into 2021.
61% of respondents are optimistic about their expectations for business returning to pre-pandemic levels within 6 months – or within the calendar year of 2020.
POSSIBLE SITE VISIT SOLUTIONS/PRACTICES BEING CONSIDERED
Not surprisingly, the most common practices are/will be physical distancing (92%) and the use of personal protective equipment (84%). The use of virtual technology options, for example, video capture and surveillance, was identified as a possible solution by almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents and the use of drones by only 12%. Other offered suggestions include:
Other offered suggestions include:
- Reducing staff on-site
- Using separate vehicles for travel to sites
- Avoiding entry to buildings unless absolutely necessary
- Staff health self-assessment and/or declaration
NOTE ABOUT SURVEY SAMPLE
The survey received responses from 102 individuals who represented a diversity of segments including local, regional, national and global companies; organizations ranging in size from ‘less than 10 employees’ up to ‘100 or more employees’; and from every geographic region across Canada.
ERIS wishes to thank all respondents who took the time to complete our 3-Minute Snap Survey!
