Why Britain is one of the world’s least ‘nature-connected’ nations

Britain is one of the least “nature-connected” nations in the world, and new research has explored the reasons why.

The study, led by Professor Miles Richardson, Professor of Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby, explored the differences between the most and least nature-connected countries and the societal factors behind them.

Based on an analysis of existing data from over 60 countries and nearly 57,000 participants, the study considered why Nepal is the most nature-connected nation, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh and Nigeria.

European countries meanwhile, tend to be more disconnected, with only Croatia and Bulgaria appearing in the top 10, with France in 19^th place, while Britain and Spain were among the least connected to nature.

The study forms part of ongoing research by the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group, which has found that people with higher levels of nature connectedness enjoy improved wellbeing and are more likely to act in environmentally friendly ways.

By contrast, low levels of nature connectedness are identified as one of the three major drivers of biodiversity loss, alongside inequality and the prioritisation of individual, material gain.

One of the study’s key findings was that the strongest indicator for a close relationship with nature was high levels of ‘spirituality’ within a society. More religious cultures, where there is a preference for faith over science, tended to show higher levels of nature connectedness.

In contrast, urbanisation and ‘ease of doing business’ – a World Bank measurement of the business-friendly character of a country – emerged as the strongest negative predictors of nature connection. Other factors linked to the lack of connection with nature included mean income and greater internet use.

To help explain these patterns, Professor Richardson has developed a new conceptual framework – the ‘X’ Model – to illustrate the key macro-level social and cultural factors influencing how people connect with nature.

Professor Richardson said:

“Nature connectedness is not just about what we do, but how we feel, think, and value our place in the living world. We have become a more rational, economic and scientific society, and while that has brought some fantastic benefits, it is how we balance them with the unforeseen problems.

“This report combined statistical modelling, network analysis, and theoretical interpretation to identify which societal conditions and shared values are most strongly associated with nature connectedness. The results offer a compelling picture of how modern life shapes our relationship with nature – and where we might intervene to restore it.”

On how to boost national nature connectedness, Professor Richardson suggested making better use of natural environments in NHS treatments of mental and public health, developing rights of nature in law, and bringing nature into boardrooms and business decisions through regulations such as biodiversity net gain.

He added:

“We need to find ways to reintegrate natural thinking in our highly technological world. The model offers a starting point, a framework for thinking differently. It is difficult to change cultures, but it is about mainstreaming the value of nature, making it integral to our wellbeing, so it becomes respected and almost sacred.”

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