Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Survey, 2008 (SEABS) was commissioned by the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Analytical Services (REAS) Division and undertaken by Ipsos MORI Scotland. The aim of the survey was to provide representative information among the adults in Scotland on their environmental attitudes and behaviours, supporting the development and delivery of environmental policy, relating specifically to climate change, sustainable development and well-being, but also of relevance to other policy areas.

The starting point for the SEABS questionnaire was the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) Survey of Public Attitudes and Behaviours toward the Environment, 2007 (available at the UKDA under SN 5741), and a related DEFRA-commissioned omnibus survey (not available from the UKDA). Following a review of other relevant studies, the questionnaire was developed by Ipsos MORI Scotland, working in collaboration with the Scottish Government Project Management Team, the Greener Scotland Directorate and the Climate Change Division.

Main Topics:

Specific topics covered in the questionnaire were as follows: the salience of the environment and specific environment problems; attitudes towards climate change; travel behaviour; energy consumption; re-using and recycling; eco-purchasing; well-being; and green space.

The questionnaire was divided into three consecutive sections. The first section focused on participation in environmental behaviours, the second on barriers to participation in environmental behaviours and the third on environmental attitudes.

The survey used several of the harmonised questions for government social surveys and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).