Air quality report 2022: public engagement

1.1 Background and Research Objectives

This report contains the findings from a quantitative study exploring public perceptions of air quality in Scotland among adults aged 16 and above. This research was conducted by BMG Research on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government’s Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy sets out how the Scottish Government will deliver air quality improvements over the next five years. In doing so, it hopes to secure a vision of Scotland having the best air quality in Europe, helping to safeguard and enhance health, wellbeing and the wider natural environment.

The strategy identifies a need for clear evidence on levels of knowledge, attitudes, and concern related to air pollution, as well as on willingness to change behaviours which contribute toward air pollution.

This baseline survey is key to establishing the current awareness amongst the Scottish public of air pollution health effects and source contributors.

The key evidence gaps to be addressed in the baseline survey are detailed below:

• Knowledge of the sources of air pollution
• Knowledge of the health impacts of air pollution
• Awareness of the role that individual action can play in reducing air pollution
• Awareness of how reducing air pollution relates to wider environmental benefits e.g. more pleasant urban environment from fewer vehicles
• Real and perceived barriers to uptake of low/zero emissions vehicles and further modal shift to public transport and active travel
• The behavioural drivers that could help to incentivise such changes