Overview
- The survey polled about 57,000 people across 61 countries and was published in Ambio by a University of Derby team led by Miles Richardson.
- Nepal topped the index ahead of Iran, South Africa and Bangladesh, with Britain at 55th and Spain last.
- Higher urbanisation, mean income, internet use and stronger World Bank ease of doing business scores were associated with lower national nature connection.
- Membership of environmental organisations showed only a very weak relationship with individuals’ sense of connection to nature.
- The authors recommend policies across education, health, housing and the arts to strengthen sensory, emotional and spiritual engagement with nature.