While consumer expectations for a brand’s sense of a purpose are climbing, many brands are dropping the ball when it comes to meeting those expectations.

That’s the finding of the latest Purpose Priorities Report from Porter Novelli. The annual report, which measures the “purpose credibility” that audiences place in brands, shows a drop from 6.89 (out of 10) in 2018 to 6.02 in this year’s survey.

That drop indicates what the study’s authors say is a need for brands to “do more than make promises or try to address Purpose via a one-off campaign.”

A large majority (84 percent) of the 7,000 adults who were surveyed for the study would agree with that, saying that they think “companies should demonstrate how they are following through on their promises to people, the planet and society.”

Perhaps the most important issue on which audiences want to see are a real sense of commitment is the environment. Almost eight out ten respondents (78 percent) think that companies should have a point of view on environmental sustainability.

In addition, a company’s environmental stance can be a key driver of purchase decisions. Over a third (35 percent) of those surveyed indicated that they would start or increase purchasing from a company if it shared their view on environmental issues.

The weight of DE&I issues when it comes to purchase decisions is considerable as well. More than three in 10 respondents (32 percent) would be more likely to purchase from a company if it changed the way it operates in an effort to address diversity and inclusion, with 29 percent adding that they would also be more likely to recommend that company to family or friends.

Treading into political waters comes with its risks, however. Almost half of respondents (48 percent) said they would stop or reduce their purchasing from a company if donated to a party or candidate whose view of political issues differ from their own. Nearly as many (44 percent) would cut back on their purchases from a company that made comments they disagreed with on a political issue.

Some companies are doing considerably than other in the credibility department, however. According to Porter Novelli’s Better Business Matrix, which measures the reputation of companies reagarding their commitment to “people, planet and society,” Toyota topped the list in the automotive sector. Top performers in other sectors included PepsiCo (food & beverage), Intel (technology), TIAA (financial services), T-Mobile (communications) and REI (retail).

The Purpose Priorities Report was fielded by marketing data & analytics company Dynata.