DAVOS, SWITZERLAND -- Its better late than never.

Business leaders around the world are finally getting the message that they can no longer continue their obsession with short-term profits growth at the expense of a healthy society.

A survey of more than 1,400 chief executives from 83 countries by the professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that the dangers of climate change are starting to get through to the C-suite and that a growing mistrust by customers is forcing leaders to recognize the need to look beyond pleasing only their shareholders.

In fact, nearly a quarter of respondents said their company has changed its sense of purpose in the last three years to take broader corporate responsibilities into account.