Scottish household survey 2015: annual report

11 Environment

11.1 Introduction and Context

The Scottish Government and partners are working towards creating a greener Scotland by improving the natural and built environment, and protecting it for present and future generations. Actions are being taken to reduce local and global environmental impacts, through tackling climate change, moving towards a zero-waste Scotland through the development of a more circular economy, increasing the use of renewable energy and conserving natural resources. The Scottish Government is also committed to promoting the enjoyment of the countryside and of green spaces in and around towns and cities.

There are a number of Scottish Government National Outcomes relating to the environment ^[57] including:

• We value and enjoy our built and natural environment and protect it and enhance it for future generations;
• We reduce the local and global environmental impact of our consumption and production; and
• We live in well-designed, sustainable places where we are able to access the amenities and services we need.

A range of National Indicators ^[58] have been developed to track progress towards environmental outcomes. Two of these indicators, 'increase people's use of Scotland's outdoors' and 'improve access to local greenspace', are monitored using data from the Scottish Household Survey ( SHS). The Land Use Strategy indicators ^[59] , which measure progress towards the objectives set out in the Land Use Strategy 2016-2021, also include three indicators measured using SHS data including 'community inclusion in land use decision-making'.

Some local authorities also use the SHS to assess progress towards environmental objectives, including those in their Single Outcome Agreements (a statement of the outcomes that they want to see for their local area).

This chapter begins by exploring attitudes towards climate change and then reports findings on the recycling of waste. It finishes by looking at visits to the outdoors, access to local greenspace and participation in land use decisions.

Responses to questions on litter and dog fouling are found in Chapter 4 ‑ "Neighbourhoods and Communities".

Main Findings

Climate change

Half of adults (50 per cent) view climate change as an immediate and urgent problem, an increase of 5 percentage points compared with 2014 (45 per cent). Concern about climate change remains lowest among the youngest and oldest age groups, but increased among the 16-24 age group in 2015.

Over half of adults (63 per cent) perceive a value in doing things to help the environment even if others do not do the same. However this proportion is lower compared with findings from 2008 (68 per cent) ^[60] .

Just over half of adults (54 per cent) believe that their behaviour and lifestyle contribute to climate change, an increase compared with findings from 2008 (48 per cent).

Over three quarters of adults (77 per cent) consider that climate change will have an impact on Scotland as well as on other countries. However this represents a decrease compared with 2008 (85 per cent).

73 per cent of adults consider that they understand what actions people like themselves should take to help tackle climate change.

Recycling

More households are now disposing of their food waste in local authority-provided food caddies (46 per cent in 2015 compared with 26 per cent in 2012).

Households in flats are much more likely to dispose of their food waste with their general waste as opposed to those living in houses (73 per cent compared to 45 per cent), while households in rural areas are more likely to use composting to dispose of their food waste than households in urban areas (20 per cent compared to 6 per cent).

Around 4 out of 5 households generally recycle each of the five main categories of dry recyclable materials. This is roughly the same proportion of households as in 2014. Those living in houses are more likely to recycle each type of recyclable material compared to households living in flats.

Visits to the outdoors and greenspace

Around half of adults (49 per cent) visited the outdoors at least once a week in the last year. This is around the same proportion as in 2014. Adults living in the most deprived areas were more likely not to have made any visits to the outdoors in the past twelve months (21 per cent) compared to those in the least deprived areas (8 per cent).

Most adults (67 per cent) live within a five minute walk of their nearest area of greenspace, a similar proportion to 2014.

More than a third of adults (36 per cent) visit their nearest area of greenspace at least once a week, which is around the same proportion as in 2014.

Around three-quarters of adults (76 per cent) are satisfied or very satisfied with their nearest area of greenspace.

Less than a sixth of adults (15 per cent) have given their views on land use in the last 12 months.

11.2 Attitudes to Climate Change

11.2.1 Introduction and Context

Action to address climate change is a high priority for the Scottish Government. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 ^[61] set a target of reducing Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050, compared with the 1990 baseline. The Scottish Government's Second Report on Proposals and Policies ( RPP2) ^[62] for meeting its climate change targets sets out how Scotland can deliver these targets over the period 2013-2027. The third Report ( RPP3), covering the period up to 2032, is in development. The Scottish Government recognises that all sectors of society will need to contribute to meeting these targets. Its Low Carbon Behaviours Framework sets out a strategic approach to encourage low carbon lifestyles amongst individuals, households, communities and businesses in Scotland ^[63] .

Public attitudes towards climate change are likely to influence their willingness to support initiatives to address climate change, as well as to take action themselves. For the last three years the SHS has included a question about the immediacy of climate change as a problem, which was first asked in the Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Survey ( SEABS) in 2008 ^[64] . In 2015, the SHS added four new questions to explore people's perceptions about taking action to tackle climate change, three of which were also asked in SEABS 2008. The SHS results are discussed in relation to the SEABS results in this section, although it is worth noting that there were some differences between the surveys. In the SEABS survey, respondents were asked a more detailed set of questions about the environment compared with the SHS, in which climate change is one of a wide range of topics on which respondents answer questions.

11.2.2 Attitudes about the Immediacy and Urgency of Climate Change

Respondents were presented with four different statements about the problem of climate change and asked which, if any, came closest to their own view. Table 11.1 shows an increase in the proportion of adults who view climate change as an immediate and urgent problem, from 45 per cent in 2014 to 50 per cent in 2015. This figure remains lower than the finding of 57 per cent in 2008.

Table 11.1: Perceived immediacy of the problem of climate change

Column percentages

Adults	2013	2014	2015
Climate change is an immediate and urgent problem	46	45	50
Climate change is more of a problem for the future	25	26	23
Climate change is not really a problem	7	8	7
I'm still not convinced that climate change is happening	13	11	11
No answer	3	3	3
Don't know	7	6	7
Total	100	100	100
Base	9,920	9,800	3,100

Attitudes about the immediacy of climate change as a problem have consistently varied by age, with the youngest and oldest age groups least likely to view climate change as an immediate problem. In 2015, while this pattern continues, there has been an increase in concern among the youngest group, aged 16-24 (see Figure 11.1). Forty-six per cent of this group now consider climate change to be an immediate and urgent problem, compared with 40 per cent in 2014. The highest concern continues to be among adults aged 35-44 (58 per cent), with the lowest concern among adults aged 75+ (36 per cent).

Figure 11.1: Perceived immediacy of the problem of climate change by age

2015 data, Adults (minimum base: 260)

Perceptions of climate change as a problem have consistently been closely related to educational attainment. In 2015, there is still a considerable gap in perceptions between adults with a degree or professional qualification (over six out of ten perceive climate change as an immediate problem), and adults with no qualifications (under four out of ten perceive it as an immediate problem). However this gap closed by four percentage points compared with 2014, reflecting an increase in concern about climate change amongst those with no educational qualifications.

11.2.3 Attitudes towards taking action to address climate change

People's willingness to take action to address climate change will be influenced by their views about whether climate change will affect Scotland; whether their actions will have any impact; and whether they know what actions they could take. Perceptions about these issues were explored through inviting respondents to agree or disagree with four statements. These statements vary in terms of whether agreement or disagreement represents a positive attitude towards taking action to tackle climate change.

11.2.4 The value of individual actions to help the environment

Respondents were asked to agree or disagree with the statement: "It's not worth me doing things to help the environment if others don't do the same". Disagreement with this statement would suggest a positive perception of the value of individual actions, regardless of the actions of others.

Table 11.2 shows that, in 2015, over half of adults (63 per cent) disagree with this statement, split equally between strongly disagreeing and tending to disagree. Twenty-three per cent agree with the statement, with only 5 per cent strongly agreeing.

Table 11.2: Perceptions about the value of individual actions to help the environment

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults
Strongly agree/Tend to agree	23
Neither agree nor disagree	10
Strongly disagree/Tend to disagree	63
Don't know	4
Total	100
Base	3,100

Total disagreement with this statement in 2015 (63 per cent) represents a decrease of 5 percentage points compared with the SEABS 2008 finding (68 per cent). That is, in 2015 a lower proportion of adults considered it worth undertaking individual actions to help the environment.

11.2.5 The contribution of behaviour and everyday lifestyle to climate change

Respondents were then asked about their agreement or disagreement with the statement: "I don't believe my behaviour and everyday lifestyle contribute to climate change".

Again, disagreement with this statement would suggest a perception that there is a link between individual behaviours and lifestyle and climate change.

Table 11.3 shows that in 2015 just over half of adults (54 per cent) disagree with this statement, of whom 20 per cent strongly disagree.

Table 11.3: Perceptions about the contribution of behaviour and everyday lifestyle to climate change

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults
Strongly agree/Tend to agree	26
Neither agree nor disagree	15
Strongly disagree/Tend to disagree	54
Don't know	5
Total	100
Base	3,100

Compared with 2008, there has been a considerable swing from agreement (a reduction of nine percentage points) to disagreement (an increase of six percentage points) with this statement. That is, in 2015, a higher proportion of adults do believe that their behaviour and lifestyle contribute to climate change.

11.2.6 Perceptions about where climate change will have an impact

Respondents were invited next to agree or disagree with the following statement: "Climate change will only have an impact on other countries, there is no need for me to worry". Disagreement with this statement would suggest a perception that climate change will have an impact on Scotland, as well as on other countries.

Table 11.4 shows that there is strong disagreement with this statement: 77 per cent of adults disagree, of whom 48 per cent strongly disagree.

Table 11.4: Perceptions about where climate change will have an impact

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults
Strongly agree/Tend to agree	7
Neither agree nor disagree	10
Strongly disagree/Tend to disagree	77
Don't know	6
Total	100
Base	3,100

Since 2008 disagreement with this statement has fallen by 8 percentage points, from 85 per cent in 2008 to 77 per cent in 2015. The level of agreement is unchanged. These findings show that, in 2015, a lower proportion of adults believe that climate change will have an impact on Scotland.

11.2.7 Understanding about actions that people can take to tackle climate change

Finally, respondents were invited to agree or disagree with the following statement: "I understand what actions people like myself should take to help tackle climate change". Agreement with this statement would suggest that respondents believe that they know what actions they could take personally to help tackle climate change, though it would not show whether they were actually taking any action in practice.

Table 11.5 shows that there is strong agreement with this statement: 73 per cent of adults agree, of whom 26 per cent strongly agree.

Table 11.5: Understanding about actions that people can take to tackle climate change

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults
Strongly agree/Tend to agree	73
Neither agree nor disagree	13
Strongly disagree/Tend to disagree	9
Don't know	5
Total	100
Base	3,100

11.3 Recycling

11.3.1 Introduction and Context

Scotland's first circular economy strategy, "Making Things Last" ^[65] , published in February 2016, sets out the Scottish Government's priorities for moving towards a more circular economy - where products and materials are kept in high value use for as long as possible. It builds on Scotland's progress in the zero waste and resource efficiency agendas.

Scottish Government's recycling and landfill targets, as originally set out in its 2010 "Zero Waste Plan" ^[66] , are as follows:

• 60 per cent of household waste recycled by 2020
• 70 per cent of all waste recycled by 2025
• A ban on municipal biodegradable waste going to landfill from 1 January 2021
• No more than 5 per cent of all waste going to landfill by 2025

In addition, a Scottish Food Waste Reduction Target was announced in February 2016, the first such target in Europe. This commits to a 33 per cent reduction by 2025.

To help achieve Scotland's recycling targets, the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012 require local authorities to provide separate household collections for recyclable materials. Outwith specified rural areas this includes collection of food waste. Food collected for recycling can be processed to produce nutrient-rich fertilisers and biogas - a low carbon energy source. In May 2016, Zero Waste Scotland estimated that 75 per cent of Scottish households (1.8 million) had access to a food waste collection service. Zero Waste Scotland ( ZWS) and the Scottish Government have also led initiatives to help people reduce unnecessary food waste ( e.g. the Love Food Hate Waste, ZWS Volunteer and Community Advocate Programme, and Greener Scotland campaigns), as well as to recycle food waste.

11.3.2 Food Waste Recycling

There has been a steady increase in the number of people using food waste recycling caddies, rather than throwing food out with general waste. Fifty-five per cent of households now dispose of food waste with their general rubbish (Figure 11.2), a decrease from 60 per cent of households in 2014. There has also been an increase in the proportion of households making use of local authority-provided food caddies between 2014 and 2015, from 40 per cent to 46 per cent. This represents a substantial increase from the 26 per cent of households using food waste recycling caddies in 2012. Nine per cent of households dispose of their food waste by home composting, which is a similar proportion to previous years.

Figure 11.2: Methods used to dispose of food waste in the past week

2015 data, Households (base: 3,480)

Percentages add to more than 100 per cent since multiple responses were allowed.

Table 11.6 shows that less than half of those living in houses (45 per cent) dispose of their food waste with the general rubbish while 73 per cent of households living in flats dispose of their food waste in this way. This represents a statistically significant decrease from 2014, where 51 per cent of those living in houses disposed of their food waste with the general rubbish.

Table 11.6: Method used to dispose of food waste by property type

Percentages, 2015 data

Household	House or bungalow	Flat, maison- ette or apartment	Scotland
General waste with other rubbish	45	73	55
Local Authority-provided caddy or other receptacle	55	29	46
Home composting e.g. Heap in garden or allotment, green cone	11	3	9
Base	2,420	1,050	3,480

Columns may not add to 100 per cent since multiple responses were allowed.

A higher percentage of households living in houses use a food waste caddy (55 per cent) or home composting (11 per cent) to dispose of their food waste compared to households living in flats. This may reflect differences in the amount of space available for food waste caddies and home composting.

Table 11.7 shows that the largest difference between urban and rural households is in the higher rate of food waste composting in rural areas (20 per cent compared to 6 per cent in urban areas). This might be due to households in some rural areas being provided with compost bins as opposed to food waste caddies.

Table 11.7: Methods used to dispose of food waste by Urban/Rural classification

Percentages, 2015 data

Household	Urban	Rural	Scotland
General waste with other rubbish	56	46	55
Local Authority-provided caddy or other receptacle	46	45	46
Home composting e.g. Heap in garden or allotment, green cone	6	20	9
Base	2,750	730	3,480

Columns may not add to 100 per cent since multiple responses were allowed.

11.3.3 Recycling of Dry Recyclable Materials

Around four in five households report that, in general, they recycle each of the main categories of dry recyclable materials: paper, card, glass, food and drink cans/tins and plastic bottles/tubs.

The recycling rate is highest for paper (86 per cent) and lowest for glass (77 per cent), which is the same pattern as observed in the previous year.

Figure 11.3: Household who reported they generally recycle certain materials

2015 data, Households (base: 3,480)

Percentages add to more than 100 per cent since multiple responses were allowed.

Table 11.8 shows that households living in flats have a lower rate of recycling for all materials compared to those living in houses. As in the previous year, this difference is largest for cans and tins, where 89 per cent of those living in houses report that they generally recycle these compared to 63 per cent of households living in flats.

Table 11.8: Recycling of materials by type of property

Percentages, 2015 data

Household	House or bunglow	Flat, maison- ette or apartment	Scotland
Paper	93	72	86
Card	92	69	84
Glass	85	61	77
Metal	89	63	80
Plastic	91	68	82
Base	2,420	1,050	3,480

Recycling behaviour shows a clear pattern across areas with different levels of deprivation (Table 11.9). The most deprived areas have the lowest rates of recycling while rates improve in less deprived area.

Table 11.9: Recycling of materials by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation

Percentages, 2015 data

Households	20% most deprived				20% least deprived	Scotland
	1	2	3	4	5
Paper	76	83	87	91	92	86
Card	74	82	84	90	92	84
Glass	62	73	78	86	87	77
Metal	70	77	81	87	86	80
Plastic	73	80	83	89	89	82
Base	650	710	760	740	610	3,480

11.4 Visits to the Outdoors, Greenspace and Land Use Decisions

11.4.1 Introduction and Context

Spending time outdoors has been associated with numerous benefits, with urban green and open spaces having been shown to contribute to public health and wellbeing ^[67] .

Responsibility for promoting visits to the outdoors is shared between Scottish Natural Heritage, other agencies such as Forestry Commission Scotland, local authorities and the National Park Authorities. Local authorities and National Park Authorities are also responsible for developing core path networks in their areas. People have a right of access to most land and inland water in Scotland, for walking, cycling and other non-motorised activities.

The National Performance Framework includes two National Indicators which aim to measure progress in this area. These are 'Increase people's use of Scotland's outdoors' ^[68] and 'Improve access to local greenspace' ^[69] . The second indicator was added during the recent National Performance Framework review to reflect the importance of accessibility to greenspace in Scottish Planning Policy ( SPP) ^[70] and National Planning Framework 3 ( NPF3) ^[71] , which aims to significantly enhance green infrastructure networks, particularly in and around Scotland's cities and towns.

The Land Use Strategy 2016-2021 ^[72] also emphasises the importance of giving communities more opportunity to engage with and have some control over the land where they live and how it is used. This can be achieved in many ways, including through community-run schemes such as those funded through the Climate Challenge Fund ( CCF) ^[73] . 'Community Inclusion in Land Use Decision-Making' ^[74] has been included as one of the ten Land Use Strategy Indicators used for monitoring the progress of the Land Use Strategy.

This section starts by looking at key factors and characteristics associated with outdoor visits for leisure and recreation purposes. This is followed by an exploration of the access and use of greenspace for adults in the local neighbourhood and their satisfaction with that greenspace. Finally, this section concludes by looking at people's participation in land use decisions.

11.4.2 Visits to the Outdoors

Outdoor visits for leisure and recreation purposes include visits to both urban and countryside open spaces (for example, parks, woodland, farmland, paths and beaches) for a range of purposes (such as walking, running, cycling or kayaking). The associated National Indicator is measured by the proportion of adults making one or more visits to the outdoors per week.

There has been no change in the proportion of adults visiting the outdoors at least once a week between 2014 and 2015. Forty-nine per cent of Scottish adults visited Scotland's outdoors at least once a week in 2015 compared to 48 per cent in 2014 (see Table 11.10). A further fifth of adults report visiting the outdoors at least once a month while 14 per cent of adults report that they did not visit the outdoors at all in 2015 (down 2 per cent from the previous year).

Table 11.10: Frequency of visits made to the outdoors

Column percentages

Adults	2012	2013	2014	2015
One or more times a week	42	46	48	49
At least once a month	19	20	19	20
At least once a year	20	18	17	17
Not at all	20	16	16	14
Base	9,890	9,920	9,800	9,410

There is substantial variation in the proportion of adults making visits to the outdoors by level of area deprivation (Table 11.11). In the most deprived areas of Scotland, 40 per cent of adults visit the outdoors at least once a week, compared to 56 per cent of adults in the least deprived areas. Adults in the most deprived areas are also more likely not to have visited the outdoors at all in the past twelve months (21 per cent) compared to those in the least deprived areas (8 per cent).

Table 11.12 shows that adults living in rural areas are more likely to visit the outdoors at least once a week compared to adults living in urban areas (56 per cent compared to 47 per cent). There was little difference in the proportion of men and women visiting the outdoors at least once a week in 2015 (Table 11.13).

Table 11.11: Frequency of visits made to the outdoors by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	20% most deprived				20% least deprived	Scotland
	1	2	3	4	5
One or more times per week	40	42	51	54	56	49
At least once a month	19	20	21	21	21	20
At least once a year	19	21	15	16	15	17
Not at all	21	17	13	9	8	14
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100
Base	1,740	1,900	2,050	2,080	1,640	9,410

Table 11.12: Frequency of visits made to the outdoors in the past twelve months by Urban/Rural classification

Column percentages, 2015 data

Household	Urban	Rural	Scotland
Once or more times a week	47	56	49
At least once a month	21	17	20
At least once a year	18	14	17
Not at all	14	13	14
Total	100	100	100
Base	7,420	1,980	9,410

Table 11.13: Frequency of visits made to the outdoors in the past twelve months by gender and age group

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	Male	Female	16-24	25-34	35-44	45-59	60-74	75+	All
One or more times per week	49	48	46	54	57	49	48	29	49
At least once a month	21	20	23	23	23	21	16	15	20
At least once a year	17	18	19	15	13	18	18	21	17
Not at all	13	14	11	8	7	12	18	34	14
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	100	100
Base	4,240	5,160	750	1,210	1,390	2,440	2,380	1,240	9,410

Thirty-four per cent of the over 75 age group report that they did not visit the outdoors at all in the past twelve months, which may reflect declining mobility and accessibility issues. This is further reflected in the high proportion of those adults describing their health as either bad or very bad, who did not visit the outdoors at all in the last year (41 per cent). Conversely, 53 per cent of adults who describe their health as good or very good report that they visit the outdoors at least once a week (Table 11.14).

Table 11.14: Frequency of visits made to the outdoors in the past twelve months by self-perception of health

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	Good / Very Good	Fair	Bad / Very Bad	All
Once or more times a week	53	41	25	49
At least once a month	21	20	13	20
At least once a year	16	20	21	17
Not at all	9	19	41	14
Total	100	100	100	100
Base	6,570	1,980	840	9,410

11.4.3 Walking Distance to Local Greenspace

Accessibility of greenspace is an important factor in its use, both in terms of its proximity to people's homes and the ease of physical access. The accessibility standard is taken to be equivalent to a five minute walk to the nearest publicly usable open space, which is the measurement used for the National Indicator. Greenspace is defined in the SHS as public green or open spaces in the local area such as parks, play areas, canal paths and beaches (private gardens are not included). Respondents are asked how far the nearest greenspace is from their home and how long they think it would take the interviewer to walk there.

In 2015, 67 per cent of adults reported living within a 5 minute walk of their nearest greenspace (see Figure 11.4).

Figure 11.4: Walking distance to nearest greenspace

2015 data. Random adults (base: 9,410)

11.4.4 Frequency of Use of Local Greenspace

As shown in Figure 11.5, there has been little change in how often local greenspace is used between 2014 and 2015. In 2015, 36 per cent of adults reported visiting their nearest green space several times a week compared to 37 per cent in 2014, while nearly a quarter of adults reported not visiting their nearest greenspace at all during the same period (24 per cent in 2014 and 23 per cent in 2015).

Figure 11.5: Frequency of use of nearest greenspace

2014 and 2015 data. Random adults (minimum base: 9,300)

Table 11.15 shows that a higher proportion of people who live within 5 minutes of their nearest greenspace report using it at least once a week compared to people who live a 6-10 minute walk away (44 per cent compared to 24 per cent).

Table 11.15: Frequency of use of nearest greenspace by walking distance to nearest greenspace

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	A 5 minute walk or less	Within a 6-10 minute walk	An 11 minute walk or more	All
Every day / Several times a week	44	24	11	36
Once a week or less	37	49	50	41
Not at all	20	27	38	23
Don't know	0	0	0	0
Base	6,210	1,920	1,180	9,300

As shown in Table 11.16, a higher proportion of people who describe their health as good or very good report using their nearest greenspace several times a week (38 per cent) while nearly half of those who describe their health as bad or very bad (48 per cent) report not visiting their nearest greenspace at all in the last 12 months.

Table 11.16: Frequency of use of nearest greenspace by self-perception of health

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	Good / Very Good	Fair	Bad / Very Bad	All
Every day / Several times a week	38	33	20	36
Once a week or less	43	37	31	41
Not at all	19	30	48	23
Don't know	0	0	0	0
Base	6,520	1,960	820	9,300

11.4.5 Satisfaction with Local Greenspaces

In order to be effective, greenspace needs to be viewed as suitable for use by the local population. If individuals feel that greenspace is unsafe, unclean or otherwise not fit for purpose then people may be less likely to make use of it. Over three quarters of adults described themselves as satisfied with their nearest greenspace in 2015, while only 9 per cent were dissatisfied.

Figure 11.6: Satisfaction with nearest greenspace

2015 data, Adults (base: 9,300)

Table 11.17 shows that those who describe their neighbourhood as a fairly good or very good place to live are more satisfied with their local greenspace than those who rate their neighbourhood as a fairly poor or very poor place to live. This may be because higher levels of satisfaction with local greenspace contribute to a more favourable impression of the neighbourhood in general, or vice versa.

Table 11.17: Satisfaction with nearest greenspace by rating of neighbourhood as place to live

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	Very good	Fairly good	Fairly poor	Very poor	No opinion	Scotland
Satisfied/Fairly Satisfied	81	71	54	50	*	76
Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	7	12	16	9	*	9
Dissatisfied/Fairly Dissatisfied	7	11	23	31	*	9
No opinion	5	6	7	10	*	6
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100
Base	5,530	3,300	320	120	30	9,300

While those living closer to their nearest greenspace are more likely to use it more frequently, satisfaction with greenspace does not have much effect on the frequency of use (see Table 11.18). Although, those who describe themselves as satisfied or fairly satisfied with their local greenspace are slightly more likely to use it than the national average.

Table 11.18: Use of nearest greenspace by satisfaction with nearest greenspace

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	Satisfied/ Fairly Satisfied	Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied/ Fairly Dissatisfied	No opinion	All
Every day / Several times a week	42	18	29	1	36
Once a week or less	44	37	41	8	41
Not at all	15	44	30	91	23
Base	7,120	830	770	580	9,300

11.4.6 Greenspace by level of area deprivation

People's distance from their nearest greenspace and their use and satisfaction of that space seem to vary with the level of area deprivation. Table 11.19 shows that a greater proportion of adults in deprived areas live at least an 11 minute walk away from their nearest greenspace compared to adults in the least deprived areas (15 per cent compared to 10 per cent).

Table 11.19: Walking distance to nearest greenspace by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	20% most deprived				20% least deprived	Scotland
	1	2	3	4	5
A 5 minute walk or less	60	66	70	72	68	67
Within a 6-10 minute walk	23	21	18	16	22	20
11 minute walk or greater	15	12	11	11	10	12
Don't Know	2	1	1	1	1	1
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100
Base	1,740	1,900	2,050	2,080	1,640	9,410

Also, Table 11.20 shows that adults in the most deprived areas are less likely to be satisfied with their nearest greenspace than adults in the least deprived areas. This could lead to fewer people in deprived areas making use of their nearest greenspace, as people are more likely to use greenspace if it is close by and of good quality.

Table 11.20: Satisfaction of nearest greenspace by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	20% most deprived				20% least deprived	Scotland
	1	2	3	4	5
Satisfied/Fairly Satisfied	66	72	77	81	83	76
Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	11	10	9	9	8	9
Dissatisfied/Fairly Dissatisfied	14	11	9	7	6	9
No opinion	8	7	5	4	4	6
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100
Base	1,710	1,890	2,030	2,060	1,630	9,300

This is supported somewhat in Table 11.21. Adults in the most deprived areas are more likely than adults in the least deprived areas not to have used their nearest greenspace in the past 12 months (32 per cent compared to 17 per cent). Adults in more deprived areas are also less likely to use their nearest greenspace several times a week compared to adults in less deprived areas.

Table 11.21: Frequency of use of nearest greenspace by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults	20% most deprived				20% least deprived	Scotland
	1	2	3	4	5
Every day / Several times a week	30	31	39	41	39	36
Once a week or less	37	43	40	39	44	41
Not at all	32	26	22	20	17	23
Total	100	100	100	100	100	100
Base	1,710	1,890	2,030	2,060	1,630	9,300

11.4.7 Participation in Land Use decisions

Participation in land use decisions is important for giving communities more control over the land where they live and encouraging greater engagement. In 2015, 15 per cent of adults reported that they gave their views on land use in at least one of the ways listed in Table 11.22.

The most common way in which people report giving their views on land use is by signing a petition (7 per cent of adults) and the least common is through discussions with a land owner or land manager (2 per cent of adults). This may be because signing a petition does not require much effort and is more likely to be about an issue affecting a larger number of people. Having a discussion with a land owner or manager, on the other hand, requires more time and effort and is more likely to be about an issue affecting fewer individuals in that specific area (smaller area issues).

Table 11.22: Percentage of people who gave their views on land use in the last twelve months

Column percentages, 2015 data

Adults
Been involved with interest group or campaign	3
Attended a public meeting/ community council meeting	5
Took part in a consultation or a survey	5
Signed a petition	7
Contacted an MP, MSP or Local Councillor	4
Responded to a planning application	4
Had discussions with a landowner/land-manager	2
None of the above	85
Base	9,410

Columns add to more than 100 per cent since multiple responses were allowed.

As shown in Table 11.23, a greater proportion of adults living in rural areas report giving their views on land use compared to adults living in urban areas (21 per cent compared to 14 per cent).

Table 11.23: Percentage of people who gave their views on land use by Urban/Rural classification

Percentages, 2015 data

Adults
Urban	14
Rural	21
All	15
Base	9,410