Biodiversity in France

The Charter for the Environment

The French and the environment

Minister for Ecology and Sustainable Planning and Development

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The French and the environment (*)

A large majority of French people claim that they are preoccupied by environmental issues: :

83% by climate change: (including 42% "very preoccupied")

83% by the preservation of the environment and living conditions (including 35% "very preoccupied")

76% by threats to biodiversity: (including 33% "very preoccupied")

While the level of preoccupation increases with income, it remains balanced between men and women, and between right and left wing voters.

The French are convinced that we can all act to protect the environment at an individual level:

73% to combat climate change (including 42% "a lot")

87% for the preservation of the environment and living conditions: (of which 53% "a lot")

78% of the preservation of biodiversity: (of which 47% “a lot”)

These results are backed up by the behaviour of the French at an individual level. 83% claim that their own daily behaviour has a major impact on the preservation of the environment and living conditions (including 41% "very major")

This awareness of the importance of individual actions for environmental improvement can be seen in the high frequency with which the following ecological activities are carried out:

care not to waste water (84% claim they are regularly careful)

sorting of bottles, newspapers and plastics (80%)

care not to waste energy for heating homes (79%)

care not to waste electricity for lighting and for using domestic appliances (79%)

proper treatment of used oils and batteries (62%)

In terms of their consumption habits, 23% of French people declare that they regularly buy fair trade products and 22% buy organic agriculture products.

_{(*) Government communication survey / IFOP - December 2006}

Site du ministère de l'Ecologie, du Développement et de l'Aménagement durables