Scottish Climate Survey: technical report 2024 to 2025
Technical report supporting the publication 'Scottish Climate Survey: main findings'
Appendix A: cognitive testing discussion guide
Interviewer instructions:
If in-person, give participant a copy of mock questionnaire. Ask participant to go through a section of the questionnaire then stop. Probe after each section, but ask sections C & D together.
If online/telephone: ask participant to open survey link, and (if online) share the browser window which shows the survey on screen, ask participant enter access code. Ask participant to go through the whole questionnaire then stop. Switch off you camera while they are completing the survey. Probe on each section.
Question probes:
INTERVIEWER: Use these flexibly depending on participant answers/time. There are also specific probes included for some questions.
- How did you find it navigating your way/clicking through the survey?
- Were there any instructions that were more difficult to understand?
- What did you think about the layout of this question? Is there anything that would make it easier to understand/answer?
- Were there any question in that section that were more difficult to answer?
- Why do you say that? [Listen for differences in awareness, potential misunderstanding of the question or part of the questions]
- Why did you select <answer>?
- Were there any answer options missing from the list or do they cover everything?
- In your own words, what do you think the question is getting at/was asking?
- [if applicable] What time period were you thinking of when you answered that question (from when to when)?
- [for specific questions e.g. on biodiversity, transition to net zero] What did the term ‘x’ mean to you?
- What would have made the question clearer for you?
- Are there other terms we could have used instead that would have been clearer?
| Question | Interviewer notes |
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Section A: GENERAL CLIMATE CHANGE KNOWLEDGE AND FEELINGS |
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ASK ALL QA1 Overall, how much would you say you know about the topic of climate change? A great deal A fair amount A little Nothing at all Don’t know Prefer not to say |
These are warm up questions – no need to probe |
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ASK ALL QA2 Thinking about the last month, how often would you say you have spoken to people about climate change? Every day Several times a week Once or twice a week Once or twice in the last month Not at all Don’t know Prefer not to say
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These are warm up questions – no need to probe |
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ASK ALL QA4 When you think about climate change, which of the following words best describes how it makes you feel?
Please select up to three.
1. Hopeful 2. Sad 3. Determined 4. Sceptical 5. Indifferent 6. Angry 7. Curious 8. Anxious 9. Afraid 10. Guilty 11. Confused 12. Powerless 13. Other - specify 14. Don’t know 15. Prefer not to say |
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ASK ALL QA5
And how often, if at all, do your feelings about climate change have a negative effect on your daily activities such as eating, sleeping, concentrating at home / work / study, enjoying your hobbies, or spending time with family / friends?
1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Rarely 5. Never 6. Don’t know 7. Prefer not to say |
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B. Severe weather events |
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ASK ALL QB1
Thinking about where you currently live, how likely if at all do you think you are to experience each of the following severe weather events?
• Heavy rain and flooding • Storms and strong winds • Intense heat / heatwaves • Water shortages and drought • Very low temperatures, snow and ice
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Very likely 2. Fairly likely 3. Not very likely 4. Not at all likely 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say
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If time allows |
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ASK ALL QB2
And currently how prepared, if at all, would you say you and your home is to cope with each of the following?
• Heavy rain and flooding • Storms and strong winds • Intense heat / heatwaves • Water shortages and drought • Very low temperatures, snow and ice
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Very prepared 2. Somewhat prepared 3. Not very prepared 4. Not at all prepared 5. Not applicable to my home 6. Don’t know 7. Prefer not to say
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If time allows |
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ASK ALL QB3
Have you personally experienced any of these types of severe weather events in your local area over the last 12 months?
• Heavy rain and flooding • Storms and strong winds • Intense heat / heatwaves • Water shortages and drought • Very low temperatures, snow and ice
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Yes 2. No 3. Don’t know 4. Prefer not to say
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If time allows |
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C. ADAPTATION ACTIONS |
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ASK ALL QC1
There are a number of actions individuals might take to help adapt to the impacts of climate change. Which, if any, of the following actions have you taken?
ANSWER OPTIONS A. Have done this B. Have not done this C. Intend to do this in future D. Not applicable / can’t do this / not my decision E. Don’t know F. Prefer not to say
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Make sure to probe on length:
How did you find answering this question? What did you think about the number of actions you were asked about - was this too few, too many, or about right?
Make sure to probe on understanding of 5:
Did having the examples of removing slabs or astroturf make any difference to how easy this question was to answer?'
How about if 'planting more plants' was included as an example - would that have made any difference, or not?
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ASK ALL QC2
What, if anything, stops you from taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change?
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D. MITIGATION BEHAVIOURS |
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ASK ALL QD1
As you may know, many of the activities people undertake in their day-to-day lives contribute to climate change because of the carbon emissions they produce.
From what you know or have heard, what are the most effective actions someone living in Scotland could take to reduce their own contribution to climate change?
Please select and rank the top four most effective actions (1= most effective).
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Make sure to probe on how easy/difficult it was to select four activities.
Make sure to probe on how easy/difficult it was to rank four activities |
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E. TRANSPORT |
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First confirm if participant has access to a vehicle |
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ASK ALL QE1
Thinking about how you typically travel, how often do you do the following?
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Often 2. Sometimes 3. Rarely 4. Never 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say |
Make sure to probe on understanding of car sharing.
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QE2 ALL WHO NEVER/RARELY CAR SHARE WITH FRIENDS…
You said that you [rarely/never] car share with friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues to reduce the number of cars used for all or part of a journey. What is the main reason(s) for this? Please select up to three.
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ALL WHO NEVER/RARELY USE A CAR SHARING SERVICE QE3
You said that you [rarely/never] use a car sharing service (e.g. Enterprise Car Club, Co Wheels). What is the main reason(s) for this?
Please select up to three.
1. Not aware of any car sharing services near me 2. Too difficult or time-consuming to use 3. Too expensive 4. I prefer using public transport 5. I prefer travelling by myself 6. I’ve never considered using a car sharing service 7. It could be unsafe 8. I don’t need access to another car 9. I don’t have a driving licence 10. Other - specify 11. Don’t know 12. Prefer not to say
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ASK ALL WHO HAVE A CAR QE4
And still thinking about how you typically travel, how often, if ever, do you choose to leave your car at home and walk, wheel or cycle the journey instead?
1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Rarely 5. Never 7. Don’t know 8. Prefer not to say
Note this is a new question to test
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Make sure to probe on understanding:
Which answer did you choose?
Tell me how you arrived at that answer - which journeys were you thinking about? |
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ASK ALL WHO LEAVE CAR AT LEAST SOME OF THE TIME. QE5
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Strongly agree 2. Tend to agree 3. Neither agree nor disagree 4. Tend to disagree 5. Strongly disagree 6. Don’t know 7. Prefer not to say
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ASK ALL QE6
As far as you know, how common is it for people you know (e.g. friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues) to…
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Very common 2. Fairly common 3. Not very common 4. Not at all common 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say
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Make sure to probe on wording:
How did you find answering this question?
Who were you thinking about when you were answer? Did having the explanation that by people you know we mean ‘friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues’ make this question any easier or more difficult to understand, or did it make no difference?’
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ASK ALL QE7
Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
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ASK ALL QE8
Here are some examples of ways that people may get involved in decisions about the transport services in their local areas. Have you personally done any of the following in the past 12 months?
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ASK ALL QE9
What, if anything, stops you from having your say in decisions about transport services in your local area?
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Make sure to probe on answer options:
Was there anything not mentioned in the list that stops you from having your say on this? If so, what was that?’ |
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ASK ALL QE1
Thinking about how you typically travel, how often do you do the following?
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Often 2. Sometimes 3. Rarely 4. Never 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say |
Make sure to probe on understanding of car sharing.
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QE2 ALL WHO NEVER/RARELY CAR SHARE WITH FRIENDS…
You said that you [rarely/never] car share with friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues to reduce the number of cars used for all or part of a journey. What is the main reason(s) for this? Please select up to three.
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ALL WHO NEVER/RARELY USE A CAR SHARING SERVICE QE3
You said that you [rarely/never] use a car sharing service (e.g. Enterprise Car Club, Co Wheels). What is the main reason(s) for this?
Please select up to three.
1. Not aware of any car sharing services near me 2. Too difficult or time-consuming to use 3. Too expensive 4. I prefer using public transport 5. I prefer travelling by myself 6. I’ve never considered using a car sharing service 7. It could be unsafe 8. I don’t need access to another car 9. I don’t have a driving licence 10. Other - specify 11. Don’t know 12. Prefer not to say
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F. HEAT DECARBONISATION |
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First confirm if participant owns their home outright or with a mortgage. |
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ASK IF OWN HOME QF1
Which of the following, if any, do you have or are you planning to install in your home?
1. Loft insulation 2. Solid wall insulation 3. Cavity wall insulation 4. Floor insulation
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. This was installed in my home when I moved in 2. I have already installed this in my home 3. Planning to do this in the next 2 years 4. Planning to do this in the future but not sure when 5. I don’t have this and am not planning to install it 6. Not applicable / cannot be installed at the property 7. Don’t know 8. Prefer not to say
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ASK IF OWN HOME + PLANNING TO INSTALL QF2
What, if anything, stops you from installing wall or floor insulation in your home?
Please select up to three.
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Make sure to probe on understanding:
What do you see as the difference between options 8 and 9 in the list?
Was that clear when you were answering the question? |
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ASK ALL QF3
Before today, which of the following heating systems had you heard of?
SELECT ALL THAT APPLY
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ASK IF OWN HOME QF4
Which of the following heating systems, if any, do you have or are you planning to install in your home?
1. Direct electric heating e.g. storage heater 2. Air source heat pump 3. Ground source heat pump
ANSWER OPTIONS
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ASK IF OWN HOME AND ARE PLANNING/NOT PLANNING TO INSTALL QF5
What, if anything, is currently stopping you from installing a heat pump in your home?
Please select up to three.
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Make sure to probe on understanding, if not already covered:
What do you see as the difference between options 10 and 11 in the list?
Was that clear when you were answering the question? |
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ONLY IF PLANNING/HAVE A HEAT PUMP QF6
What got you interested in the idea of installing a heat pump in your home?
Please select all that apply.
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ONLY IF PLANNING/HAVE A HEAT PUMP QF7
What [was/is] your main reason for [deciding to install / planning to install] a heat pump in your home?
Please select up to three.
1. Part of wider home renovations 2. To save money on energy bills 3. To make my home warmer or more comfortable 4. To increase my home’s value 5. Environmental reasons 6. To meet legal standards 7. Other (specify) 8. Don’t know 9. Prefer not to say
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ONLY IF HAVE A HEAT PUMP QF8
Would you say that as a result of installing a heat pump…
ANSWER OPTIONS: 1. Yes, a lot 2. Yes, a little 3. No
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ASK ALL QF9
As far as you know, how common is it for your friends, family or work colleagues to have done the following to their home?
1. Installed wall, floor or loft insulation 2. Installed a heat pump 3. Connected to a district or shared heat network
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Very common 2. Fairly common 3. Not very common 4. Not at all common 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say
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If time allows |
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G. FOOD AND DIET |
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ASK ALL QG1
Thinking about the food you typically eat, how often do you do the following, if at all?
1. Prepare meat-free meals at home 2. Choose meat-free options when eating out 3. Replace dairy products with alternatives such as oat milk 4. Intentionally buy locally produced food 5. Intentionally buy seasonal fruit and vegetables
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Always 2. Often 3. Sometimes 4. Rarely 5. Never 6. Don’t know 7. Prefer not to say
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ASK ALL QG2
As far as you know, how common is it for your friends, family or work colleagues to do each of the following?
• Prepare meat-free meals at home • Choose meat-free options when eating out • Replace dairy products with alternatives such as oat milk
ANSWER OPTIONS 1. Very common 2. Fairly common 3. Not very common 4. Not at all common 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say
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H. NATURE, GREEN SPACE, & BUILT ENV. |
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ASK ALL QH1
Changes to the climate affect the natural world. Climate change has been linked to a decline in biodiversity.
Before today, how much, if anything, would you say you knew about the biodiversity crisis in Scotland?
1. A great deal 2. A fair amount 3. A little 4. Nothing at all 5. Don’t know 6. Prefer not to say
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Make sure to probe on understanding:
Can you tell me in your own words what you understood by ‘biodiversity?’ |
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ASK ALL QH2
The next few questions are about green and blue spaces in your local area. Examples of green spaces include parks, countryside, woods or play areas. Blue spaces are bodies of water, such as beaches, rivers, lochs or canals.
In the last month, how often, if at all, did you spend time in a local green or blue space, even if just to pass through it?
1. Every day 2. Several times a week 3. Once or twice a week 4. Once or twice in the last month 5. Not at all 6. Don’t know 7. Prefer not to say
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If time allows |
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ASK ALL QH3
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements.
Spending time in local green or blue spaces…
1. Improves my physical health 2. Improves my mental health 3. Makes me feel more connected to my community
ANSWER OPTIONS:
1. Strongly agree 2. Tend to agree 3. Neither agree nor disagree 4. Tend to disagree 5. Strongly disagree 6. Don’t know 7. Prefer not to say
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If time allows |
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ASK ALL QH4
Now for a few questions about public spaces. By public spaces we mean places that are open to everyone, such as public buildings, parks and playgrounds, nature and greenery, footpaths, streets and town or village squares.
Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
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If time allows |
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ASK ALL QH5
Here are some examples of ways that people may get involved in decisions about how public spaces are used in their local area. Have you personally done any of the following in the past 12 months?
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If time allows |
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ASK ALL QH6
What, if anything, stops you from having your say in decisions about how public spaces are used in your local area?
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If time allows |
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I. IMPACTS OF THE TRANSITION TO NET ZERO |
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First confirm if participant is in work |
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ASK ALL
Now a few questions about Scotland’s efforts to tackle climate change and reach transition to net zero by 2045.
By ‘Scotland’s transition to net zero’ we mean the actions being taken to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. ‘Net zero’ would be achieved when the amount of emissions produced is equal to or less than the amount removed from the atmosphere.
QI1
Which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
I expect that Scotland’s transition to net zero will…
1. Improve people’s quality of life in my local area 2. Make no difference to people’s quality of life in my local area 3. Make people’s quality of life in my local area worse 4. Don’t know 5. Prefer not to say
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Make sure to probe on understanding:
Can you tell me in your own words what you understood by ‘Scotland’s transition to net zero’?’ |
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ASK ALL
QI2
And thinking about the availability of jobs in your local area, which of the following statements comes closest to your view?
I expect that Scotland’s transition to net zero will…
1. Increase the number of jobs in my local area 2. Make no difference to the number of jobs in my local area 3. Reduce the number of jobs in my local area 4. Don’t know 5. Prefer not to say
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IF IN WORK QI3
To what extent, if at all, do you expect Scotland’s transition to net zero to affect your job? If you have more than one job, please answer in relation to the job at which you work the most hours.
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IF IN WORK QI4
And what do you personally expect to do as a result of these changes?
1. I don’t expect to do anything differently 2. I will look to move to another job in the same sector / industry 3. I will look to move to another job in a different sector / industry 4. I will need to retrain/ undertake training to work 5. I will need to move to another part of Scotland to work 6. I will need to move outside of Scotland to work 7. I will retire/ no longer work 8. Other 9. Don’t know 10. Prefer not to say
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Contact
Email: emily.creamer@gov.scot