Global survey on environmental issues and implications for Earth Day: Environmental issues, long-term and consistent policies should be pursued
Dipsos Korea's Issue Report No. 41, 'Earth Day: A Global Survey on Environmental Issues', focused on the public's perceptions related to environmental issues: thoughts and responsibility for disposable products/packaging waste, and the direction of government policy.
29 April 2019
social environment
Koreans' awareness of environmental issues
❏ Important environmental issues for Koreans: air pollution, waste disposal, climate change
According to Dipsos' 'Global Survey on Environmental Issues' published on Earth Day (April 22), people around the world chose global warming and climate change as the most important issues (37%), followed by air pollution (35%). % and waste disposal (34%), and concerns about water pollution (25%), deforestation (24%), and depletion of natural resources (22%) were also relatively high.
70% of Koreans chose 'air pollution', and it is analyzed that air pollution is the most serious problem because of fine dust that is getting worse.
Next, waste disposal (51%) and global warming and climate change (48%) were the most important issues.
Regarding 'air pollution', Korea had the highest response rate among 28 surveyed countries, followed by Poland (62%). 43%, which is lower than that of Korea, indicating a relatively low awareness of the problem.
❏ Koreans are more aware of air pollution and waste disposal than in 2018
In Korea's 2018 survey results, air pollution was also the highest, followed by global warming, climate change, and waste disposal. This year, air pollution rose by 9 percentage points, indicating that the awareness of air pollution has increased. In addition, garbage disposal recorded the second-highest response, up 14%p from last year.
Since China's declaration of cessation of foreign waste imports in April last year, Korea has been struggling with the garbage problem. Garbage illegally exported to the Philippines in 2018 became an international problem, and in March 2019, it was caught just before being exported to Vietnam. The situation in Korea is also serious, and as of February 2019, it was confirmed that there were 1203,000 tons of “illegal garbage mountain” in 235 places in 14 cities and provinces.
Regarding waste disposal, Serbia had the highest response rate (55%), followed by Korea (51%). After Korea, Italy (48%), the United Kingdom (47%), and Russia (46%) showed the highest number, with the lowest countries being Saudi Arabia (15%), Turkey (18%), and Malaysia (20). % followed.
❏ Koreans, the issues that men and women consider important are somewhat different
In general, it was found that women are more sensitive than men to the three important environmental problems considered by Koreans - air pollution, waste disposal, and climate change. However, in the fourth and fifth rankings, 'future energy resources and supply' and 'exhaust gas' issues were considered more important by men than women. I'm seriously thinking about it.
While there is little difference by age group, it is unusual that exhaust gas was higher in the age group over 50 compared to other age groups.
Thinking about disposables/packaging waste
❏ Most Koreans think that they are concerned about disposable products/packaging waste
It was found that the vast majority of Koreans are concerned about the use of packaging waste or disposable products that cause environmental pollution.
“What do you think about the environmental impact of plastic packaging, plastic bags and other non-recyclable single-use items?” 91% of Koreans answered 'worried' to the question, and 81% worldwide responded 'worried', and Korea recorded the 4th highest response rate among the 28 countries surveyed. South Africa (93%) had the highest response of 'worried', and Saudi Arabia (47%) had the lowest.
❏ I am willing to reduce packaging waste, but I am less inclined to change my shopping habits
Koreans who are concerned about disposables and packaging waste are willing to reduce packaging waste on a personal level. 60% of Koreans said that they would reuse disposable products, but the intention to change their shopping habits was low. The intention to purchase products made from recycled materials is relatively high (42%), but only 27% stop purchasing products made with non-recyclable packaging materials. Stayed at 20%. In addition, the willingness to pay additional costs for using non-recyclable products or to pay additional taxes to improve recycling-related facilities was lower.
While a similar trend is being observed worldwide, when looking at 'intention to reuse disposable products', South Africa has the highest (77%), followed by Columbia (76%) and the United Kingdom (72%), followed by Korea with 60%. It ranked 13th out of 28 countries surveyed. The country with the lowest intention to reuse disposables was Saudi Arabia (19%), followed by Japan (34%).
❏ Koreans have higher behavioral intentions compared to 2018
In 2018, Koreans were passive about actions they could take at the individual level to reduce non-recyclable packaging materials. However, in 2019, the willingness to take action has increased considerably, and this background includes the so-called 'waste plastic Crisis' that occurred in the metropolitan area (waste vinyl, which was subject to recycling classification, is not collected) and the ban on the use of disposable products in coffee shops, etc. This seems to have had an impact.
When looking at the intention to reuse disposable products and the intention to purchase more products made from recycled materials by class, the intention of young people under the age of 35 is low. Appear to be sensitive.
On the other hand, relatively young people's interest in disposable products/packaging waste, which has a huge impact on environmental problems even if it is not immediately visible, is relatively low.
Packaging Waste Responsibility Assessment
❏ Responsibility for packaging waste lies with the production/sales company
While most people believe that someone is responsible for reducing unnecessary packaging waste, opinions about that “someone” are not clear.
Of Koreans, 26% of companies that produce packaging products, 14% of companies that sell packaging products, 11% of governments, and 8% of consumers answered that they were all equally responsible (38%).
However, if the companies that produce/sell packaging products are combined, it rises to 40%, which is ultimately seen as an opinion that companies should reduce packaging waste.
When it comes to the response that the company producing the packaging is responsible, France has the highest number (37%), followed by Russia (34%) and Hungary (33%). Korea recorded 26%, the 8th highest among the 28 countries surveyed, followed by Turkey (8%), followed by Japan (9%) and India (10%).
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