Nine out of ten UK adults believe nature is important to wellbeing

Almost nine out of 10 UK adults (87%) say access to nature is important to their physical and mental wellbeing, a study from Aviva reveals.

Reassuringly, 85% of respondents say they have access to ‘green’ spaces such as parks and forests in their local community. People in the South East of England are most likely to report this (93%) compared to people in the West Midlands, (the lowest at 79%).

The survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted as part of Aviva’s third annual Climate-Ready Index, delves into UK residents’ attitudes to nature and biodiversity, as well as actions they are taking to support wildlife in their local communities.

The Aviva study also finds that 84% of UK adults are already taking actions to support nature. More than half (54%) say they are enhancing natural habitats in their own gardens, such as planting trees or hedges, or installing a pond. More than two thirds (68%) of UK adults are minimising their use of chemicals and pesticides, while a quarter (25%) are involved in community initiatives, such as litter-picking or local conservation projects.

There is clear evidence that people believe they should support their surroundings, with 92% saying they feel a responsibility to look after nature. The survey shows that almost four fifths (78%) of UK adults believe individuals have a role to play in managing and improving nature in their community, while 65% say local community groups should play a part.

However, half of respondents (50%) say that nature and biodiversity is declining in their local community.

Claudine Blamey, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aviva says: "At Aviva, we're thrilled to see how much people value nature for their wellbeing. Our Climate-Ready Index shows that many UK adults are already taking steps to support biodiversity and improve their local environments.

“It's fantastic to see such a strong sense of responsibility and community spirit. However, the decline in local biodiversity is a clear sign that there's still more to be done. We're committed to helping the UK get ready by backing initiatives that protect and restore nature, so future generations can enjoy a thriving natural world." 

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Methodology:

^{Figures are taken from a YouGov a survey of consumer attitudes towards nature adaptation with a nationally representative sample 2,031 of adults aged 18+. Fieldwork was carried out online between 13th-16 September 2024 in the UK.}

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