Environmental awareness and eco-friendly actions are on the rise in Abu Dhabi emirate, according to the latest findings of the Environmental Awareness and Behavior Survey.

 

Conducted regularly by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) since 2008, nearly 2,000 people representing various nationalities, ages and industries in the emirate took part in the latest survey done in 2013.

 

The results, released by the EAD, showed that 68 percent of the participants reported pro-environment practices, compared to 55 per cent in 2012.

 

Within the construction industry, the overall level of awareness on environmental issues grew from 24 per cent in 2012 to 81 per cent in 2013.

 

Moreover, 88 percent of the respondents within that industry expressed concern about waste management issues in their sector, as opposed to only 45 per cent in 2012. On air quality, an astonishing 90 per cent of those surveyed in 2013 reported that they understood that enhancing air quality was a priority, compared to only 7 per cent in 2012.

 

Of all of those surveyed, youth between 15 and 20 years demonstrated the highest levels of awareness of waste management as an environmental concern and were also the most active in searching for solutions to lessen their impact on environment. For example, 73 per cent of youth opted to carpool with friends or family last year, while in 2012, only 55 per cent had considered that option.

 

While the survey showed better results generally in pro-environment practices in 2013 than previously, water consumption, one of the most pressing issues of Abu Dhabi emirate, didn’t do very well.

 

The bilingual guide is available for download at www.ead.ae