Citizens' attitudes and behaviours in environmental matters: a gender-based approach (Italy)

The Italian National Institute of Statistics annually carries out the Multipurpose Survey “Aspects of daily life” which collects information about the habits of citizens and the quality of their life, both at individual and household level. A set of questions focuses on the citizens’ opinions about environmental problems and eco-friendly behaviours. The paper aims to combine the environment-related main results of the survey with a gender-based approach. The main findings show the cross-cutting nature of environmental concerns but also the differences between men and women in adopting sustainable and responsible behaviours. Women, of any age and educational level, are more inclined to adopt eco-responsible behaviours. The data analysed already provide a helpful informative framework for policymakers. However, for supporting more effective awareness-raising policies, further investments are needed both in the analysis of available data and in the production of more gender-based and gender-sensitive indicators. In this regard, the results represent a starting point for a renewed reflection on the contribution that official statistics can give in order to enrich environmental statistics according to a gender perspective.