List of Environmental Factors for PESTLE

What is PESTLE Analysis in Marketing?

The letters of PESTLE represent the broad categories of a macro-environmental scan for marketing purposes. The letters stand for:

  • P = Political factors
  • E = Economic factors
  • S = Social factors
  • T = Technology factors
  • L = Legal factors
  • E= Environment factors

List of Possible Environmental Factors to Use in PESTLE Analysis

Here is a list of ideas and thought-starters to help you build out a list of suitable environmental factors for your PESTLE analysis. Scan through the list and choose the ones that are more relevant for your firm or industry.

  • Negative impacts from climate change
  • Increasing rate of climate change
  • Fluctuating weather conditions
  • Changing temperatures of regions
  • Pressure to move to a zero carbon footprint
  • Pressure to be seen as environmentally friendly
  • Shift to recyclable packaging
  • Push for better material design for product disposal
  • Consumer preference for green products
  • Lobby group pressure to support the environment
  • Banning of key materials, ones not environmentally friendly
  • Higher climate change targets being set
  • Increased frequency of natural disasters
  • Scarcity of clean water
  • Increasing air pollution
  • Increasing water pollution
  • Change in eco-environments
  • Reduced efficiency of farmland
  • Pressure to shift to renewable energy sources
  • Unreliable energy supplies
  • Increased cost of energy supplies
  • Potential liability for environmental damage
  • Higher standards for recycling
  • Pressure to be seen as an ethical company
  • Need to engage with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  • Increased sustainability focus
  • Pressure to shift to a societal marketing focus
  • Pressure to support social causes
  • Increased interest in eco-tourism
  • Pressure to involve staff in volunteering
  • Expectation to offer options to low income consumers
  • Need to be seen as paying a fair rate of tax
  • Responsible sourcing of materials expected
  • Need to pay fair wages in all situations
  • Need to avoid suppliers with unethical practices
  • Expectation to support developing economies
  • Increased use of wind and solar energy
  • Attractive tax incentives for environmental actions
  • Cost savings for environmental actions
  • Increased alternate energy options
  • Increased uptake of electric vehicles
  • Infrastructure for electric vehicles
  • Increased demand for natural foods
  • More people on vegan (non-animal) diets
  • Shift to minimalist lifestyles by consumers
  • Controls on burning fossil fuels
  • Landfill concerns of product disposal
  • Staff diversity targets
  • Risk of being seen as not supporting the environment
  • Possible consumer boycotts of some products