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REPORT ON A QUANTITATIVE SURVEY ON
PERCEPTIONS ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE
CHANGE IN CYPRUS
Prepared for
CESF and AKTI Project and Research Centre
in cooperation with
United Nations Development Programme
Action for Cooperation and Trust
December, 2008
RAI
RAI Consultants Public LTD
http://www.rai.com.cy/
Introduction
The Cyprus Environmental Stakeholder Forum (CESF) and the Network for a
Sustainable Future which forms the Coastal Group of CESF, with the support of
AKTI Project and Research Centre, in cooperation with UNDP-ACT, has requested
from RAI Consultants Public Ltd to carry out an opinion research project which
would explore various environmental issues among the Cypriot public. The
present document is the report on the survey that was carried out between the
1st and 30th of November 2008, aiming to collect data on the following topics:
 Awareness / attitudes towards climate change
 Awareness of environmental issues, including coastal erosion
 Awareness of organizations which promote/fund the care of coastal areas
 Awareness of the function / attitudes towards breakwaters
This research project, which employed a quantitative methodology, consisted of
telephone interviews and face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of
members of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. The sample was
distributed proportionately throughout the urban and rural areas of the island.
A total sample of 661 telephone interviews were carried out – with 412 Greek
Cypriots and 248 Turkish Cypriots.
2
METHODOLOGY
Coverage
The survey was based on a nationally representative sample drawn from urban and rural areas
on both sides of the Cyprus divide.
Sample Selection
The method of multistage stratified sampling, based on the Population Census available for each
community was used for the sample selection.
Interviewing technique
In the Greek Cypriot Community, interviewing was carried out by CATI (Computer Assisted
Telephone Interviews). In the Turkish Cypriot Community, interviewing was carried out by a
combination of telephone and face-to-face interviewing. The average length of each interview
was 20 minutes.
Sample structure
In total, 661 interviews were carried out – 412 with Greek Cypriots and 248 with Turkish
Cypriots. The demographic analysis of the sample structure is shown overleaf.
Data analysis
The data were processed and analysed with the aid of the QPS software package. The margin of
error, calculated at the 95% confidence level is, at a maximum, ± 4%.
3
SAMPLE STRUCTURE
Greek Cypriot
Turkish Cypriot
No.
%
No.
%
412
100
248
100
Male
160
39
128
52
Female
252
61
120
48
18-29
100
24
64
26
30-49
160
39
99
40
50+
152
37
85
34
Nicosia
158
38
71
29
Limassol
121
29
-
-
Larnaca
78
10
-
-
Famaghusta
19
5
61
25
Paphos
36
9
-
-
Kyrenia
-
-
46
18
Morphou
-
-
48
19
Tricomo
-
-
22
3
Urban
293
71
131
53
Rural
119
29
117
47
Total:
By Gender
By Age
By District
By Region
4
Summary of Key Findings
Summary of Key Findings

The term “sustainable Development” was known to one third of the sample, but nearly half of those who knew it were
not aware of its meaning. Some of those who knew it thought that it referred to the environment whilst others
thought that it referred to the viability of economic development.

The development currently taking place in Cyprus was rated modestly by the respondents, who tended not to think
that it was sustainable for future generations.

The greatest environmental problem faced by Cyprus today was understood to relate to its forests.

Overall there was dissatisfaction with information received with regards to various aspects of development such as
coastal management, tourism development, urban planning and land use, waste management and water
management. Most dissatisfaction was expressed for planning and land use.

The most frequently spontaneously mentioned problem faced by the Cyprus coasts was pollution of the coastal waters.
Landscape degradation, water scarcity and overpopulation were also mentioned by considerable proportions of
respondents – more so by Turkish Cypriots than by Greek Cypriots.

Coastal erosion was spontaneously named as a problem by a small minority of 8%. After prompting, 50% of the
sample agreed that the Cyprus coasts are experiencing erosion.

The respondents were almost equally divided between those who were in favour of breakwaters and those who were
against them, preferring the beach to be left in its natural formation even if eroded.

The belief that any touristic development in Cyprus should take the environment into account was strongly present
among the sample.

Climate change was currently influencing Cyprus according to the majority of the sample – more so according to
Greek than among Turkish Cypriots.

The readiness of Cyprus to deal with the problems created by climate change was mostly rated as unsatisfactory.
6
Summary of Key Findings

The Aarhus convention was known to a small minority of 6% of the respondents.

The media were the most likely body to be named as capable of having an impact on achieving environmental
sustainability.

Those who thought that in Cyprus the citizen is either consulted or can participate in decision making with
regards to social issues were at a minority.

Bi-communal co-operation was, according to most, essential in resolving environmental priorities.

There was a tendency, among the total sample, to express the opinion that environmental sustainability decisions
should be made at the EU level. Analysis by ethnic group, however, indicates that Greek Cypriots tend to prefer
these decisions to be made at the federal level, while Turkish Cypriots tend prefer the EU level for decisions
relating to the environment.
7
Detailed Findings
Part I
Awareness of the term “sustainable
development”
Awareness of “Sustainable Development”
Whether ever heard of the term
“Sustainable Development”
Base: All respondents
Yes, 32%
No, 68%
Whether ever heard of the term “Sustainable Development”
by ethnic group
Nearly one third of all respondents interviewed for
this study claimed that they had ever heard the
term “sustainable development, whilst over two
thirds claimed that they had not heard of it.
Analysis of the answers to the question of whether
they had ever heard of this term by ethnic group
shows an uneven distribution of awareness, with
twice as many Greek Cypriots saying that they had
heard of it compared to Turkish Cypriots.
Base: All respondents
100%
81%
80%
60%
40%
60%
40%
19%
20%
0%
GC Sample
Yes
TC Sample
No
10
Awareness of “Sustainable Development” (cont’d)
What “Sustainable Development” refers to
Base: All respondents
Total
Greek
Cypriot
Turkish
Cypriot
661
412
248
%
%
%
48
35
68
Development that respects the environment
9
12
4
A healthy lifestyle / survival
7
11
-
Development that helps life to continue
4
7
-
The environment / environmental studies
4
6
-
The relationship between humans and the environment
3
4
-
The protection of nature and prevention of problems
2
-
5
The survival of animals / plants / trees / forests
2
3
-
To organic products / organic agriculture
2
3
-
To recycling / usage of renewable sources
1
2
-
Continuous development, innovations, improvements
8
5
14
The economic well being of society / the country
3
3
4
Development that will last / for future generations
2
3
1
Plans for a better future
1
1
2
Work opportunities / permanence
1
-
3
Other
4
8
-
Base:
Don’t Know
Asked what they thought that the term
“Sustainable Development” referred to, nearly
half the respondents (48%) could not say.
The variety of responses given by those who
ventured to give an answer to the relevant
question showed that while many believed
that the term referred to development which
took the environment, and subsequently
survival, into account, others saw it as
referring to the social and economic aspects of
development.
11
Part II
Views on the state of the
environment in Cyprus
Evaluation of development taking place in Cyprus
Rating of the overall development currently taking
place in Cyprus on sustainability for future
generations
Base: All respondents
Very deficient
Perfect
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
18%
8%
14%
10%
24%
8%
5%
4%
1%
2%
Mean score
Total
GC
Sample
TC Sample
4
4.5
3
Asked to evaluate the overall development
currently taking place in Cyprus in terms of its
sustainability for future generations, the greatest
proportion of respondents (24%) gave it a 5 on a
10-point scale. Most of the others rated current
development below the medium point, whilst
20% gave it a rating of over 5 points.
Analysis by ethnic group shows the Turkish
Cypriot sample giving the development a lower
rating than the Greek Cypriot sample did,
indicating a greater level of dissatisfaction with
the development in the northern part of the
island.
13
Sectors of the environment believed to be currently
facing problems in Cyprus
Aspects of the environment facing problems and
need greatest attention
Base: All respondents
Aspects
facing
problems
Need
greatest
attention*
661
661
%
%
The forests
73
22
The urban environment
66
7
Farmland
63
8
The atmosphere
63
14
Rivers and wetlands
62
10
The sea
57
12
Aquifers
57
12
The coastline
50
4
Maquis
46
3
6
7
Base:
Don’t know / no answer
The forests were mentioned by nearly three quarters of the
respondents as one of the aspects of the environment that is facing
a problem in Cyprus. The forests were also named by the greatest
proportion (22%) when they were asked to name one aspect that
needed the greatest attention. Other elements named as being
those needing greatest attention were the atmosphere, the sea,
aquifers and rivers and wetlands, each mentioned by 10% - 14%.
Considerable proportions of up to 66% mentioned rivers and
wetlands, the atmosphere, farmland and the urban environment as
aspects currently facing problems. The sea, aquifers and the
coastline were understood to be facing a problem by between 50%
and 57% of the respondents, while maquis were mentioned in this
context by 46%.
The coastline, with 50% mentions as an aspect facing problems and
4% mentions as an aspect needing greatest attention does not
seem to occupy a relatively significant place in the list of
environmental concerns of the respondents.
* Single answer
14
The public’s relationship with specific environmental
issues
Rating of satisfaction with various factors
concerning development
Base: All respondents
Base:
Rating of satisfaction with the
degree to which you are informed
about matters relating to …
Coastal
manage
ment
Tourism
Developm
ent
Urban
Planning
/Land
Use
Waste
manage
ment
Water
manage
ment
661
661
661
661
661
%
%
%
%
%
30
35
61
18
57
23
73
46
68
49
Rating scale
Very satisfied
Quite satisfied
Not very satisfied
Not at all satisfied
red
white
15
Part III
Cyprus’ Coasts
Problems faced by Cyprus’ coasts
Total problems faced by the Cyprus coasts
Base: All respondents
First
mentioned
Total
mentions
661
661
%
%
Pollution of coastal waters
37
54
Landscape degradation
11
27
Water scarcity
8
16
Over populated - crowded
5
15
Overdevelopment
5
12
Pollution from rubbish
8
10
Erosion
5
8
Algae
1
6
Not organised / not adequately developed
-
2
Building on the coast
1
1
Not enough lifeguards / safety of bathers
-
1
Wrong development that does not protect
the environment
-
1
Selling off the coast
7
1
12
12
2
-
Base:
Don't know / no answer
No problems
Pollution of coastal waters was the most
frequently spontaneously mentioned problem
that the respondents believed were faced by the
coasts of Cyprus – mentioned by 54%. 37% had
mentioned this problem first when they were
asked the relevant question, indicating that this
is the problem most prominent in their mind.
The second most frequently mentioned problem
was landscape degradation, mentioned by 27%
of the respondents, of whom 11% had given it a
first mention.
Water
scarcity,
over
population,
overdevelopment and pollution from rubbish
were each cited by between 10% and 16% as
problems, while erosion was spontaneously
mentioned by 8%.
17
Problems faced by Cyprus’ Coasts (cont’d)
Total problems faced by the Cyprus coasts
By ethnic group
Base: All respondents
Greek
Cypriot
Turkish
Cypriot
412
248
%
%
Pollution of coastal waters
55
53
Landscape degradation
16
46
Water scarcity
3
39
Over populated - crowded
6
31
Overdevelopment
11
14
Pollution from rubbish
16
-
Erosion
5
13
Algae
2
12
Not organized / not adequately developed
3
-
Building on the coast
2
-
Not enough lifeguards / safety of bathers
2
-
Wrong development that does not protect
the environment
2
-
Selling off the coast
1
1
Don't know / no answer
7
14
No problems
4
-
Base:
It is interesting to note that the two
communities perceive the problems faced by
the coasts of Cyprus differently, with Turkish
Cypriots naming landscape degradation,
water scarcity and overpopulation in
considerably greater frequencies than Greek
Cypriots do.
Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, were
more likely to mention pollution from rubbish
than Turkish Cypriots were.
18
Whether Cyprus coastline is experiencing erosion
Percentage who think that Cyprus coastline is
experiencing erosion
Base: All respondents
Yes, 50%
Having mentioned all the problems that they believed
were faced by Cyprus coasts spontaneously, those
respondents who had not mentioned erosion as a
problem were specifically asked whether they
thought this was a problem.
Taken together with those who had already
mentioned erosion, we find that half of all
respondents now believe that erosion is one of the
problems faced by the Cyprus coastline.
No, 50%
Percentage who think that Cyprus coastline is
experiencing erosion by ethnic group
Analysis by ethnic group indicates that Greek
Cypriots are more likely than Turkish Cypriots to see
erosion as one of the problems faced by the Cyprus
coasts.
Base: All respondents
80%
60%
72%
60%
40%
28%
40%
20%
0%
GC Sample
Yes
TC Sample
No
19
The public’s attitudes towards aspects of coastal
development
Level of agreement with specific statements
Base: All respondents
Total
Base:
661
Mean score
The highest level of agreement was expressed for
the statement “Any tourist development should
take the environment into account”.
Lowest agreement
statements
was
expressed
for
the
In my opinion, constructed breakwaters are
aesthetically pleasing
2.6
I do not like breakwaters, I prefer the beach to be left
in its natural formation even if it is eroded
2.4
Coastal erosion is a natural phenomenon and there is
nothing we can do about it
2.3
Coastal erosion is a result of human activities
2.8
I would prefer a more environmentally friendly way for
protecting the coastline from erosion
3.3
 “In Cyprus tourist development follows an
environmentally friendly model”
Areas protected from development, such as National
Parks and Marine Reserves are good for the economy
of the area
3.2
 “In my opinion, constructed breakwaters are
aesthetically pleasing”
Any touristic development should take the
environment into account
3.7
In Cyprus tourist development follows an
environmentally friendly model
2.6
Development of mild tourism is preferable to the Ayia
Napa type of massive development
3.4
Rating scale
Totally agree
4
Somewhat agree
3
Somewhat disagree
2
Totally disagree
1
 “Coastal erosion is a natural phenomenon and
there is nothing we can do about it”
 “I do not like breakwaters, I prefer the beach
to be left in its natural formation even if it is
eroded”
It is notable that there was a higher tendency by
respondents from the older age groups of both
communities compared to the younger age groups
to agree with the statement “I do not like
breakwaters, I prefer the beach to be left in its
natural formation even if it is eroded”.
20
Part IV
Perceptions on the effects of climate change
on Cyprus
Cyprus and climate change
Extent Cyprus is believed to be affected by
climate change
Base: All respondents
100%
5
68%
3.4
50%
47%
4
2.9
3
3.8
81%
The majority of the respondents (68%) thought that
Cyprus was affected by climate change very much.
Analysis by ethnic group indicates that Greek
Cypriots are much more likely than Turkish Cypriots
to believe that climate change is influencing Cyprus.
20%
5%
19%
3%
11%
0%
28%
18%
1
1%
Total
Not at all
Not very much
Greek Cypriot
A little
2
Turkish Cypriot
Very much
Mean score
22
Cyprus and climate change (cont’d)
Ways Cyprus is affected by climate change
Base: All believing Cyprus is affected
by climate change
Total
Greek
Cypriot
Turkish
Cypriot
589
410
179
%
%
%
Draught / no rainfall
36
37
31
Water scarcity
26
25
28
Higher temperatures / Global warming
21
20
22
Negative effects on agriculture and animal
husbandry
19
24
8
Tourism is affected negatively
12
17
-
Seasonal abnormalities / extreme weather
conditions
11
13
7
Plant / tree / forest / animal extinction
9
11
3
Environmental pollution / atmosphere is full
of dust
7
8
5
The economy is harmed
7
9
-
Negative effects on health / well being
4
5
3
The environment is harmed
4
6
-
Erosion /desertification
2
2
2
High humidity in the atmosphere
2
2
2
Fires
1
1
0
Rising sea levels, erosion of coasts
1
1
0
Other
4
4
3
DK/NA
8
4
17
Base:
According to those who thought that climate change
did have an effect on Cyprus, this impact was most
evident in the lack of rainfall or the draught
experienced and in the subsequent water scarcity.
Other problems cited by significant proportions were
higher temperatures, adverse effects on agriculture
and animal husbandry, seasonal abnormalities and
extreme weather conditions. A considerable
proportion – all Greek Cypriots – remarked that
climate change was also having negative effects on
tourism.
23
Readiness of Cyprus to deal with problems arising from
climate change
Rating of preparation of Cyprus in dealing with
problems arising from climate change
Base: All respondents
100%
7%
13%
2%
17%
5
15%
6%
30%
35%
4
22%
50%
The greatest proportion of respondents (46%)
thought that Cyprus was not at all prepared to deal
with problems that are arising as a result of climate
change. A further 30% thought that Cyprus was not
very well prepared while a minority of 20%
expressed the opinion that it was somewhat or very
well prepared.
3
48%
46%
1.8
44%
1.8
1.9
0%
2
1
Total
Greek Cypriot
Not at all prepared
Not very well prepared
Very well prepared
Mean score
Turkish Cypriot
Somewhat prepared
24
Part V
Action on environmental concerns in Cyprus
Aarhus Convention
Awareness of "Aarhus Convention"
Base: All respondents
Yes, 6%
The Aarhus Convention was known to a
small minority of 6% of the respondents.
No, 94%
26
Expectations from various sectors
Extent to which various sectors can have an impact
on achieving environmental sustainability
Base: All respondents
Total
Base:
661
Mean
score
Environment authorities
3.2
The private sector
2.9
Cypriot NGOs (civil society)
3
International pressure groups
3
Religious authorities
2.4
International donors (e.g. UNDP)
3.1
The media
3.4
Ordinary citizens
3.2
The media were considered to be one of the sectors
with the greatest power to have an impact on
achieving environmental sustainability.
Other sectors in which the respondents appeared to
have considerable faith in the context of having an
impact
on
environmental
sustainability
were
environmental authorities, ordinary citizens and
international donors, such as UNDP-ACT.
Rating scale
Very much
4
Quite a lot
3
Not very much
2
Not at all
1
27
The citizen’s role in decision making
Rating of agreement: In Cyprus the
citizen is usually consulted in the decision
making process on environmental matters
Base: All respondents
Total
Base:
661
%
Totally agree (4.0)
11
Somewhat agree (3.0)
15
Somewhat disagree (2.0)
28
Totally disagree (1.0)
32
Don't know /No answer
13
Mean score
2.1
The majority of the respondents from both
communities did not think that as citizens they were
consulted in the decision making process on
environmental issues.
28
The citizen’s role in decision making
Rating of agreement - In Cyprus there is a law that
safeguards and protects the citizen's participation in the
decision making process on environmental issues
Base: All respondents
Total
Greek
Cypriot
Turkish
Cypriot
661
412
248
%
%
%
Totally agree (4.0)
14
15
12
Somewhat agree
(3.0)
20
21
16
Somewhat disagree
(2.0)
21
22
19
Totally disagree (1.0)
20
20
20
Don't know /No
answer
24
21
33
Mean score
2.4
2.4
2.3
Base:
A considerable proportion of the respondents, 24% in
total, with a bias on Turkish Cypriots, did not know
about any law that safeguards and protects the
citizen’s participation in the decision making process
on environmental issues.
Of the others, the likelihood was that they disagreed
that such a law existed at all, although about one third
of them did agree with the statement “In Cyprus there
is a law that safeguards and protects the citizen's
participation in the decision making process on
environmental issues”.
29
Bi-communal cooperation
Extent to which bi-communal cooperation is considered essential for
resolving environmental priorities
Base: All respondents
Total
Greek
Cypriot
Turkish
Cypriot
661
412
248
Mean
score
Mean
score
Mean
score
Solid waste
3.2
3.3
2.9
Pollution (air/soil/water)
3.3
3.5
3
3
3.2
2.6
Water shortages
3.3
3.5
2.8
Deforestation
3.2
3.3
3
Unplanned developments
3.1
3.2
3
Conventional farming
3.1
3.2
2.8
Urban development
3.1
3.2
3
Tourism
3.1
3.2
3.1
3
3.2
2.7
Base:
Erosion
Biodiversity loss
Respondents tended to claim that they considered bicommunal co-operation essential for resolving
environmental priorities in Cyprus.
There were some variations in the degree in which this
co-operation was considered essential in the
comparison between the responses of the two
communities, with Turkish Cypriots considering cooperation in most sectors less essential than Greek
Cypriots do.
Rating scale
Very essential
4
Somewhat essential
3
Not very essential
2
Not at all essential
1
30
Environmental sustainability decisions
Where decisions regarding environmental sustainability should be made at
Base: All respondents
38%
30%
35%
32%
29%
24%
21%
19%
16%
10%
11%
9%
Total
GC Sample
TC Sample
The central/federal level
The community/constituent state level
The EU level
The international level
The greatest proportion of respondents, 32%
believed
that
decisions
regarding
environmental sustainability should be made
at the EU level and a relatively high proportion
of 30% named the central/federal level in this
context.
Analysis by ethnic group indicates that the
federal level is mostly supported in this
context by Greek Cypriots, while Turkish
Cypriots are more likely to consider the EU
level and the international level as the most
appropriate forum for decision making on
matters of environmental sustainability.
31