Forests' climate role poorly understood despite general appreciation, Croatian survey finds

While Croatians widely acknowledge the general value of forests, their understanding of these natural assets' crucial role in combating climate change remains limited, according to a survey conducted for Dukat's "I Love Forests" project.

The research, carried out by Improve Research & Analytics in May, indicates that citizens recognize forests as a significant natural resource. However, they possess a lesser grasp of how forests contribute to mitigating climate change. This finding has prompted Dukat to strengthen the educational component of its project starting this autumn.

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Citizens clearly recognize the general importance of forests, but they understand their climatic role even less.

Results presented at a panel discussion, "The Importance of Forests in the Fight Against Climate Change," revealed that 84% of citizens perceive climate change as a local issue with daily consequences. Despite this awareness, the loss of forests and biodiversity is less frequently identified as a primary concern compared to extreme weather events (61%) and rising food prices (46%).

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Most citizens perceive climate change as an already locally present problem whose consequences are felt in everyday life.

Panelists, including experts from the State Hydrometeorological Institute, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, emphasized the need for continuous education across all age groups. They stressed that while reforestation is important, protecting existing forests must remain a priority. Both individuals and companies can contribute to forest conservation and climate change mitigation.

The survey also confirmed a high level of awareness regarding the basic ecological functions of forests: 97% know they improve air and water quality, 94% understand their impact on local climate, and 87% recognize their role in preventing floods and soil erosion. This suggests strong public support for forest protection and restoration. However, the data indicates a significant gap in understanding the specific link between forests and climate change mitigation, with only about half of respondents recognizing forests as a key natural solution and just 27% fully grasping their role in absorbing CO2.

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Forests are strongly rooted as a social value, and there is a high level of general support for their protection and restoration.