Air quality report 2022: public engagement

2. Executive Summary

2.1 Examining knowledge and awareness around the causes of air pollution and the associated health impacts

A majority of the Scottish public (62%) say they are knowledgeable about the environmental issues presented by air pollution. A similar proportion (68%) of Scots say they understand the health impacts of air pollution, a smaller proportion than for knowledge of the impacts of smoking (89%), alcohol (88%) and obesity (86%).

When asked an open question about what the main effects of air pollution are on health and well-being, the problems most commonly identified are breathing difficulties (28%) and lung problems (22%).

The Scottish public regard transport/traffic (81%), industry (59%), and energy generation (48%) as the top three main causes of poor air quality. When looking at the risks of exposure to air pollution, two-fifths (42%) of the Scottish public think they are more exposed to air pollution on the street than in their vehicle, while 38% think it makes no difference either way.

Concern about air pollution and its impacts is generally high (79%), and similar to levels of concern for other environmental issues such as deforestation (79%) and conservation (81%). The extent to which respondents are concerned about air pollution correlates highly with the level of knowledge they have about the issue.

While general concern about air quality is high, the Scottish public are less likely to be concerned about their local air quality (44% concerned about local air quality cf. 79% concerned generally). Indeed, most Scots think that the air quality in their local area has stayed the same (60%), although more Scots say their local air quality is getting worse (17%) than better (11%). There is some regional variation on this question, with those living in large urban areas more likely to say the quality of the air is getting worse (21%).

2.2 Understanding of the role that the individual can play in combatting air pollution

Most Scots agree that they worry about the environment (71%) and see themselves as an environmentally friendly person (61%). That said, there is a greater disagreement on the extent to which economic growth should be prioritised over the environment (31% agree against 48% disagree). The role Scots feel they can play in reducing the poor air quality is also muted, with just 42% saying they can make a difference.

Most Scots think action is needed to reduce emissions to improve the quality of the air in Scotland. This is most strongly felt for tackling emissions from industry (69%), buses, taxis, HGVs and other commercial vehicles (62%), and emissions from private vehicle use (56%).

Most Scots think large public sector organisations such as the Scottish Government (71%) or private sector groups such as industry (74%) are much more likely to have a large impact on improving air quality. Individual members of the public (26%) and community groups (40%) are regarded as less influential in improving air quality.

Thinking about who has responsibility for improving air quality in their area, most Scots tend to think that the government at a local (46%), Scottish (50%) and UK (34%) level have the most responsibility for improving air quality These three levels of government are also cited by Scots as the three groups who ought to be responsible for improving air quality. The largest gaps for groups who are seen as responsible for air quality and who should be responsible for air quality are the Scottish Governemnt (50% cf. 60%), the UK Government (34% cf. 47%) and global businesses (12% cf. 21%).

When thinking about the potential actions people themselves can take to improve air quality, making more journeys by foot/bicycle (63%), switching to a less polluting vehicle (61%) and using public transport more (57%) are the actions that most cite as impactful.

Official health bodies (e.g. the NHS Scotland or Public Health Scotland) are the source most people select as one they would trust around information and advice on the health risk of air pollution (54%). This is followed by medical professionals such as doctors / GPs (45%), an official environmental body (41%) and medical associations (40%). 38% select the Scottish Government, more than both the UK Government (26%) and local councils/authorities (22%).

The type of information most sought about air quality is the Scottish Government's plan for improving air quality in Scotland (47% would like to know), followed by where air pollution hotspots are (41%), and what is being done to tackle these hotspots (40%).

2.3 Attitudes towards and take up of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles and Public Transport

Knowledge of the term Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) is low with around a third (32%) saying they had not heard the term before taking the survey, and just 22% knowing the term/definition. 46% of respondents had heard the term before, but didn’t know much about the definition or what it involved.

Reported ULEV ownership sits at 7%, while a further 20% say they have considered buying one. A third (33%) have not thought about buying a ULEV at all, while around one in eight (12%) considered doing so, but decided against it. The likelihood of not having considered buying a ULEV decreases according to respondents’ income. 42% of respondents with a household income of £20-25k say they haven’t thought about buying a ULEV, compared to 18% of those with a household income of £85-100k.

Among respondents who thought about buying a ULEV but decided not to, high cost/unaffordability (66%) is by some distance the greatest barrier, followed by issues around charging (11%) and range/mileage (10%). In line with the view that high initial costs deter uptake of ULEVs, the general perception is that the more fully electric the car, the more it appears unaffordable (66% electric, 55% hybrid, 39% petrol ULEV compliant).

When asked what was the single most appealing aspect about an electric vehicle, the Scottish public were most likely to say the environmental benefit (29%), with running costs also appealing (17%). The results for hybrid vehicles were similar with 28% citing environmental benefits and 18% citing running costs.

Almost half of Scots (48%) regularly make a car or van journey of under 15 minutes each week, with a similar number regularly making journeys of more than 15 minutes (49%). Under a quarter (23%) regularly make journeys of 15 minutes or more by public transport, and one in five (18%) take public transport for journeys of less than 15 minutes. Walking or cycling is a much more common way of getting around for both journeys of less than 15 minutes (59% of Scots do this) and 15 minutes or more (50% of Scots do this).

When thinking about the potential benefits of public transport, the Scottish public give similar ratings for both buses and trains/tubes. For example, similar proportions agree that bus and train/tube are safe (62% for bus, 64% for train/tube) and convenient (51% bus, 50% train/tube).

The bus is seen as more affordable (53% bus, 32%, train/tube) and more accessible (65% bus, 54% train/tube) than the train/tube. The train/tube, meanwhile, is seen as more time efficient (52% train/tube, 36% bus) and good for the environment (50% train/tube, 43% bus).