Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This study is the fifth in a series of national surveys commissioned by the Department of the Environment to investigate people's environmental concerns, awareness and behaviour. The previous four surveys were carried out in 1986, 1989, 1993 and 1996-1997. Users should note that the UK Data Archive currently holds the first three surveys in addition to this one (SNs 2684, 2685 and 3329), but not the fourth (conducted in 1996-1997).
The objectives of the research were to:

establish current attitudes to the environment, and knowledge and behaviour regarding environmental matters;

allow comparison of current attitudes with those found in previous Department of Environment (DOE)/Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) studies;

explore views on a wider range of issues not covered by those previous DOE/DETR studies.

Main Topics:

Respondents were asked about general issues, their environmental knowledge and quality of life. Coverage then turned to current and future environmental concerns, activities, policies and access to green spaces and the countryside. Respondents were also asked about their knowledge of and belief in climate change and their expectations of future consequences.

Standard Measures
Social class was determined on the basis of standard Office for National Statistics practice.