Organised in June 2026 as part of the IP LIFE PROSPECTIVE project, the study shows that while environmental enthusiasm is exceptionally high, general awareness of biodiversity still has some catching up to do.

Green Ambition Meets Economic Reality

Nature conservation is a clear priority for the Czech public, with 66% of respondents believing it should take precedence over other public interests. The exact same majority (66%) backs the global and EU targets to protect 30% of the country’s territory. However, economic reality plays a major role: while 24% support this expansion unconditionally, 42% only agree if it does not harm the national economy.

Encouragingly, Czechs view protected areas as vital sanctuaries for wildlife and landscapes – only 11% see them merely as spaces for recreation and weekend tourism.

Driven by Shared Fears and Personal Well-being

This protective instinct is fueled by clear anxieties about the pressures facing the natural world. The public identified the top threats to biodiversity as:
•    Environmental pollution (the leading concern).
•    Deforestation.
•    Intensive agriculture and forestry.
•    The spread of invasive alien species.

This desire to protect the environment is also deeply personal. For the Czech public, nature is the ultimate tonic for mental health, with 89% turning to the outdoors to relieve stress or lift a bad mood. This connection is so strong that an overwhelming 87% of people support "no-access" zones—areas completely closed to the public to allow vulnerable ecosystems to thrive undisturbed.

Mind the Gap: Good Intentions vs. Public Awareness

Despite this overwhelming support, the survey highlighted two major areas for improvement:
•    The Volunteering Gap: While 77% of Czechs express a heartfelt willingness to get involved in hands-on conservation work, half admit they have not done so in the past year, citing low motivation or a lack of clear opportunities in their neighbourhood.
•    The Pollinator Blind Spot: Although the public agrees that pollinators deserve protection, one-quarter of Czechs are entirely unaware of how they benefit humans, and 16% cannot name a single species. Furthermore, knowledge is heavily limited to the honeybee (81%), leaving other vital insects largely overlooked.

For Czechs, nature conservation is no longer a passing trend; it is viewed as an essential foundation for the future – and one well worth safeguarding, even when the economic trade-offs get tough.

European trends

Prospective LIFE

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
 

Photo Jindřich Prach, Lubomír Dajč