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Indicator Assessment
Understanding and awareness of biodiversity have increased slightly since 2007. Citizens are also more aware of the threats and challenges facing biodiversity, but change in levels of awareness is slow. In 2013, more than two-thirds of EU citizens had heard of biodiversity, but only 44% know the meaning of the word. This is, however, 10% more than in 2007.
62% of EU citizens (against 58% in 2010) very much agree that it is important to halt biodiversity loss because our well-being and quality of life is based upon nature and biodiversity (TNS, 2013).
Familiarity with the term biodiversity
Note: In 2013, 30% of EU citizens have heard of biodiversity but didn’t know what it is.
Awareness of the Natura 2000 Network
Note: In 2007, 80% of EU citizens have never heard of the Natura 2000 network.
The latest Eurobarometer survey, published in 2013, showed that EU citizens are more aware of the term biodiversity and have better knowledge about biodiversity-related issues. 44% report having heard of the term biodiversity and know what it means, instead of 37% in 2010 and 35% in 2007. In 2013, only 26% had never heard of the term as opposed to 35% in 2007 (figure 1). This familiarity with the term “biodiversity” has increased in 18 Member States compared with the previous survey in 2010 (TNS, 2013).
Nine in ten Europeans believe that the decline of forests, climate change, the endangering and disappearance of animals, the decline of natural habitats and the endangering of some plants are all serious problems (TNS, 2013).
In 2013, 62% of EU citizens very much agreed that it is important to halt biodiversity loss because our well-being and quality of life is based upon nature and biodiversity. This proportion has increased slightly from 55% in 2007 to 58% in 2010 (TNS, 2013). 38% of people surveyed say they take personal action to try and combat biodiversity loss (TNS, 2013).
The survey also reveals that most Europeans are unaware of what the EU is doing to save biodiversity: roughly three quarters of Europeans have not heard of the Natura 2000 network (73%). Only one in ten respondents (11%) have heard of the Natura 2000 network and know what it is, although this represents a slight increase over previous surveys (figure 2).
NOTES
Flash Eurobarometer survey is part of a trend survey. Previous survey waves were published in 2010 and 2007 (Flash Eurobarometers No 290 and 219), and the current report presents comparative data between the three waves. In 2013, some 25 537 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed, via telephone, in their mother tongue on behalf of the European Commission's DG Environment. Interviewees covered the population of the respective nationalities of the European Union Member States, resident in each of the 27 Member States and Croatia and aged 15 years and over. The basic sample design applied in all states is multi-stage random (probability). TNS* has developed its own random digit dialing sample generation capabilities based on using contact telephone numbers from responders to random probability or random location face to face surveys. This approach is consistent across all countries.
REFERENCES
*TNS, 2013, Flash Eurobarometer Series N° 379: Attitudes towards biodiversity. Survey conducted by TNS Political & Social at the request of the Directorate-General for Environment and co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_379_en.pdf [Accessed 27 March 2014].
This indicator is based on a quantitative questionnaire-based survey (Eurobarometer survey on biodiversity) to provide results that can be presented as, for instance (fictional example): '35 % of the European voting population visit a nature reserve at least once a year'. It can include qualitative information, often involving focus groups, for instance (fictional example): 'Discussion in the United Kingdom focus groups has shown that people are highly concerned about the impact of climate change on wildlife'.
% of survey respondents
Public opinion is a vital factor in influencing politicians and decision makers. It provides a barometer for public support and interest and is a motivation for individuals at all levels to lead and to take more action. The purpose of this indicator for public opinion is therefore to gauge attitudes of the general public in relation to issues such as: value for money and effectiveness in delivering biodiversity gains through public funding; knowledge of and value (financial and otherwise) assigned to wildlife; awareness of and opportunities to see wildlife and visit wildlife sites; etc.
Public opinion is an indication of: 1) attitude towards biodiversity per se; and 2) the attitude of the action taken by politicians and public bodies toward the protection and management (financial and fiscal, public statements, etc.) for biodiversity.
No targets have been specified
The standard Eurobarometer was established in 1973. Each survey consists of approximately 1 000 face-to-face interviews per member state (with variations in a small number of countries). They are conducted between two and five times a year, with reports published twice yearly. Against this background 'Special Eurobarometer' reports (of which biodiversity is one) are based on in-depth thematic studies carried out for various services of the European Commission and other EU institutions and integrated in Standard Eurobarometer's polling waves.
No methodology for gap filling has been specified. Probably this info has been added together with indicator calculation.
No methodology references available.
No uncertainty has been specified
No uncertainty has been specified
MAIN DISADVANTAGES OF THE INDICATOR
Economic prosperity (the ability of travel, etc.);
Cultural and socio economic factors (e.g. nature reserve is a playground to visit for some, and some countries, and a place to live and work for others).
ANALYSIS OF OPTIONS
Several indicators have been considered. The analysis was built on existing initiatives in European countries and the input of various experts.
Some examples can be found of social indicators for public awareness and participation that are being used at a national level in order to evaluate national or local regional biodiversity policy and strategies:
1. Number of Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) that exist in different habitats as well as the number of local BAPs (LBAPs).
2. Assessment of public enjoyment of woodland.
3. Assessment of ease of access to local green space and countryside.
4. Proportion of households undertaking wildlife gardening.
5. Numbers of visits to nature reserves.
6. The number of adequately trained staff in local environmental administrations.
7. Number of campaigns and rate of citizen participation in national environmental education and awareness raising programmes e.g. garden bird monitoring programmes.
8. The number of national biodiversity projects implemented with stakeholder participation.
9. Level of personal involvement in community groups.
10. Informal or formal volunteering in conservation groups.
11. Awareness of sustainability and Local Agenda 21.
There are other initiatives developed by Defra, United Kingdom (2006) such as measuring volunteer time spent in conservation and number of people volunteering for conservation activity.
Two headline indicators used in Belgium (2006) are:
1. Frequency of visits to nature and forest areas (annual).
2. Membership of non-governmental organizations for nature conservation (1997-2003).
For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/public-awareness/public-awareness-assessment-published-may-1 or scan the QR code.
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