For Immediate Release

September 6, 2023

The Asahi Glass Foundation Announces the Results of the 32nd Annual“Questionnaire on Environmental Problems and the Survival of Humankind”♦ The time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock has turned back for three consecutive years since2021, striking 9:31 in 2023.
♦ Looking at the time on the Clock around the world, the Clock went back more than 10 minutes
compared to last year in South America, Western Europe, and the Middle East; but it moved forward
more than 20 minutes in Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe & former
Soviet Union.
♦ "Climate Change" has been the top environmental issue since 2011 that the respondents worldwide
have had on their minds in determining the time on the Clock.
♦ With regard to transitioning to a decarbonized society, the results showed an equal lack of progressin “Policies and Legal System” and “Social Infrastructure (Funds, Human Resources, Technologies,and Facilities)” compared with “Public Awareness.”♦ Regarding the world’s problems, “13. Climate Action” was the most selected as the goal thatrespondents are most concerned about, followed by “1. No Poverty,” and “16. Peace, Justice andStrong Institutions.”
The Asahi Glass Foundation (Chairman: Takuya Shimamura) has conducted an annual survey with environmental
experts from around the world since 1992. This year, we sent the questionnaire to 202 countries around the world,and received responses from 1,805 people in 130 countries. Below are the main points from this year’s questionnaire
results. Further details are available in the report of the “32nd Annual Questionnaire on Environmental Problems andthe Survival of Humankind,” or online at the Foundation’s web site, starting at 11 a.m. September 6, 2023.
I. Level of the Crisis Facing Human Survival - The Environmental Doomsday ClockI-1 The Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock

Fig. 1 Change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock Since 1992

Time on the Clock

9:50
9:40

9:47

9:46

9:47

9:42
9:35

9:30
9:20
2018

9:31

2020

Year

2022

2024

Fig. 2 Change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock over Six Years■ represents regions where the time retreated further from midnight than last year
■ represents regions where the time became closer to midnight than last year

Fig. 3 Regional Times on the Environmental Doomsday Clock・The time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock for the world had been moving forward since 2011.
However, it has turned back for three consecutive years, striking 9:31 in 2023.

(Fig. 1, 2)

Regions with significant changes in the time on the Clock compared to last year (Fig. 3)• In South America the time is 9:22, which is 21 minutes earlier than last year.
• In Eastern Europe & former Soviet Union the time is 10:01, which is 24 minutes later than last year.
Table 1. Change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock (World)
Year1991

1992

1993

1994

19951996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Time-

7:49

8:19

8:47

8:49

9:13

9:04

9:05

9:08

8:56

Year

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Time

9:08

9:05

9:15

9:08

9:05

9:17

9:31

9:33

9:22

9:19

Year

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Time

9:01

9:23

9:19

9:23

9:27

9:31

9:33

9:47

9:46

9:47

Year

2021

2022

2023

Time

9:42

9:35

9:31

Since the inception of the survey, ■ represents the lowest sense of crisis, while ■ represents the highest.

Time on the Clock (World)

10:00
9:30

Extremely
Concerned

9:00

FairlyConcerned

8:30
8:00
7:30
7:00
1990

2000

2010

2020

YearFig. 4 Change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock since 1992

・Regarding the change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock, since 1996, the time on the clock has
consistently remained in the 9 o'clock range, in the “Extremely Concerned” quadrant, with the exception of the year
2000. (Tab. 1, Fig. 4)
I-2 Change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock by Generation (2014 - 2023)

・The survey respondents aged 60 and over tended to report more advanced times on the Clock than other age groups.
・This year, the time reported by respondents in their 40s and 50s moved forward by five minutes. As a result, thedifference in the time between those in their 20s & 30s and the older age groups (40s and above) has become
pronounced. (Fig. 5-1)
10:30

Time on the Clock

10:00
9:30
9:00
60s & over

8:30

40s & 50s
20s & 30s

8:00
7:30
2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

2023

Year

Fig. 5-1 Change in the Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock by Generation
11:00

N. America

Time on the Clock

10:30

W. Europe

10:00

World

9:30

Asia

9:00

China

8:30

Japan

8:00
7:30
2014

Taiwan20162018202020222024

YearFig. 5-2 Change in the Time on the Environment Doomsday Clock Since 2013
・There is a high number of survey respondents from China and those in their 20s and 30s, who account for nearly
90% of the total number of respondents from China, seem to consider that environmental issues in China have
improved due to the environmental measures being taken by the Chinese government. (Fig. 5-2)

II. “Environmental Issues to be Taken into Account” in Determining the Time on the ClockIn determining the time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock, the questionnaire asked respondents to select, fromthe following nine categories of environmental problems, the three most pressing issues for the country or region
where they reside, and rank them in order of importance. (See the Questionnaire Report for further details.)
Nine Environmental Issues to be Taken into Account:
1. Climate Change, 2. Biosphere Integrity (Biodiversity), 3. Land-system Change (Land Use),
4. Biochemical Flows (Pollution/Contamination), 5. Water Resources, 6. Population, 7. Food,
8. Lifestyle (Consumption Habits), 9. Society, Economy and Environment, Policies, Measures
II-1 Weighted Average Selection Percentage of the Nine Environmental Issues

・As in the last year, “Climate Change” (30%) was the most often selected category among the “environmental issues
to be taken into account,” which are used to calculate the time on the worldwide Environmental Doomsday Clock.
This was followed by “Biosphere Integrity (Biodiversity)” (13%). The percentage of each issue has changed littlefor over six years. (Fig. 6)
II-2 Weighted Average Time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock of the Nine Environmental Issues

・When arranging the “environmental issues to be taken into account” for the entire world in order of descendingtime on the Clock, “Biosphere Integrity (Biodiversity)” (9:59) and “Climate Change” (9:33) were all closer tomidnight than the world’s average time of 9:31.

Fig. 6 Distribution of the Environmental Issues,
Showing Selection Percentage of Respondent's 3 Most Pressing Issues and the Time on the Clock<The details regarding regional distribution of “Environmental Issues to be Taken into Account” are described in
section III-1-2-5 of the Report.>

III. Signs of Improvement in the Approach to Environmental Issues: Comparison with the Situation Prior to2015, When the Paris Agreement and SDGs Were Adopted
Signs of improvement were investigated from the three perspectives, (1) Public Awareness, (2) Policies and Legal System,and (3) Social Infrastructure (Funds, Human Resources, Technologies, and Facilities). We asked, from a list of “EnvironmentalIssues to be Taken into Account,” the respondent’s opinion on whether there have been signs of improvement in the approachto global environmental issues with respect to a decarbonized society and where they saw signs of improvement.
We calculated the average score by quantifying the answers on whether there had been any improvements and givinga score of -2 for the answer “Not improved at all,” -1 for the answer “Somewhat not improved,” 0 for the answer“Cannot say either way,” +1 for the answer “Somewhat improved,” and +2 for the answer “Definitely improved.”
III-1 Progress in a Transition to a Decarbonized Society・Overall, with regard to transitioning to a decarbonized society, the results showed an equal lack of progress in“Policies and Legal System” and “Social Infrastructure (Funds, Human Resources, Technologies, and Facilities)”
compared with “Public Awareness.” (Fig. 7, based on Tab. 8 in Report)
Definitely
improved

2.0

Public Awareness
Policies & Legal System

1.5Somewhat
improved

Social Infrastructure
1.0
0.5

Cannot sayeither way

0.0

2021

2022

2023

Year

Fig. 7 Progress in a Transition to a Decarbonized Society: Change in Average Scores from 3 Perspectives<Progress in a Transition to a Decarbonized Society: The details are shown on page 27 of the Report.>

III-2 Categories Showing Signs of Improvement

・The category most frequently selected for showing signs of improvement was “Climate Change” at 27.0%, followed
by “Society, Economy and Environment, Policies, Measures” at 16.3%, and“ Lifestyle (Consumption Habits)” at
12.7%. (Table 2, Fig. 8)・Concerning efforts against “Climate Change, the respondents see more improvements in “Public Awareness(1.28)”than in “Policies and Legal System (0.75) and “Social Infrastructure (0.71).” The score of each issue haschanged little since last year. (Table 2)
Table 2. Signs of Improvement: Selection Percentage and Average Score in Signs of Improvement (2023)
Signs of Improvement
Selected Category
Climate Change
Society, Economy and Environment,Policies, Measures
Lifestyle (Consumption Habits)
No Sign of Improvement

Selection
Percentage(%)

PublicAwareness

Policies andLegal System

SocialInfrastructure

27.0

1.28

0.75

0.71

16.3

1.03

0.99

0.76

12.7

1.11

0.62

0.70

16.6

---

<Signs of improvement in the approach to environmental issues: The details are shown on pages 26-29 of the Report.>
Definitely
improved

2.0

Public Awareness
Policies & Legal System

1.5

Somewhat
improved

Social Infrastructure

1.00.5

Cannot sayeither way

0.02021

2022

2023

Year

Fig. 8 Signs of Improvement (Climate Change): Change in Average Scores from 3 Perspectives<Signs of Improvement (Climate Change): The details are shown on page 28 of the Report.>

IV Awareness and Realization of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Regarding the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), we asked the respondents to choose and rank three goals(out of the 17 SDGs) in which respondents are most interested, in their daily lives and three goals that respondents
are most concerned about, regarding the world’s problems. Responses were analyzed by the 1st-3rd summation
method, and the results are shown in Tables 9-1 and 9-2. More detailed data is available in the 2023 annual report ofthe survey.
Table 9-1 Five Goals (out of the 17 SDGs) in Which

Table 9-2 Five Goals (out of the 17 SDGs) That Respondents

Respondents Are Most Interested, in Their Daily Lives

Are Most Concerned About, Regarding the World’s Problems

1st

13. Climate Action

1st

13. Climate Action

2nd

3. Good Health and Well-being

2nd

1. No Poverty

3rd

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

3rd

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

3rd15 Life on Land4t

2. Zero Hungers

5th

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

5th

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

・In respondents’ world view, “13. Climate Action,” “3. Good Health and Well-being,” and “7. Affordable and Clean
Energy,” and “15 Life on Land” were selected in many countries as the goals in which they are most interested, intheir daily lives. The choices for goals 3 and 7 may reflect the feelings of respondents who wish for daily healthafter going through the COVID-19 pandemic and are frustrated by the recent rise in energy prices.
・In most countries and regions, “13. Climate Action” was most frequently selected as the world problem that
respondents are most concerned about, followed by “1. No Poverty,” and “16. Peace, Justice and StrongInstitutions.” It is clear that many people around the world are concerned about climate change as the world
problem and have it at the forefront of their minds in their daily lives.
Table 10-1 Five Goals (out of the 17 SDGs) That Will Have

Table 10-1 Five Goals (out of the 17 SDGs) That Will Have thethe Highest Level of Realization in 2030

Lowest Level of Realization in 2030

1st6. Clean Water and Sanitation

1st

1. No Poverty

2nd

4. Quality Education

2nd

13. Climate Action

3rd

2. Zero Hungers

3rd

10. Reduced Inequalities

4t

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

4t

5. Gender Equality

5th

3. Good Health and Well-being

5th

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Regarding realization of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) in 2030, we asked the respondents to choose
and rank three goals (out of the 17 SDGs) that will have the highest/lowest level of realization in 2030, in terms ofthe realization level in the respondents’ own country/region. Responses were analyzed by the 1st-3rd summation
method, and the results are shown in Tables 10-1 and 10-2. More detailed data is available in the 2023 annual reportof the survey.
・In many countries and regions, “6. Clean Water and Sanitation,” “4. Quality Education, and “2. Zero Hunger“ wereselected, on average, as goals that will have the highest level of realization in 2030.
・In the respondents’ own country or region, “1. No Poverty,” “13. Climate Action,” and “10. Reduced Inequalities”
were most commonly selected as goals that will have the lowest level of realization in 2030. These are common
major challenges worldwide.
・The number of respondents who think it is difficult to achieve "5. Gender Equality" in their own countries by 2030
is particularly high in Japan, China, and Korea.

This survey includes a section where respondents are invited to provide their opinions and write about theenvironmental realities they face in their region of the world, as well as offer suggestions for improvement. Within
the many responses we received from various countries, the respondents provided meaningful opinions andcomments. As in previous years, we will post a selection of opinions and comments on the Asahi Glass Foundation
website at 11a.m. on September 6, 2023. Please read through the candid opinions of environmental experts.
https://www. af-info.or.jp/questionnaire/result.html
For more information, please contact:
Toshihiro Tanuma, PhD, Director, Commendation, “Blue Planet Prize”
The Asahi Glass Foundation
2nd Floor, Science Plaza 5-3 Yonbancho Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-0081, Japan
Phone: +81-3-5275-0620 Fax: +81-3-5275-0871 e-mail: post@af-info.or.jp URL: https://www.af-info.or.jp

Appendix 1● Regarding the “Questionnaire on Environmental Problems and the Survival of Humankind”
Since 1992, the Asahi Glass Foundation has conducted a survey every year with experts around the world who areknowledgeable and are involved in environmental issues. The respondents are environmental experts who work or
who have worked for governments, universities, research institutions, NGOs, corporations, and mass media. Theseexperts are queried about various endeavors to counter environmental problems. The questionnaire is produced in six
languages (English, Chinese, French, Korean, Spanish, and Japanese) and is sent out in April every year, and returnedby June. After the responses are compiled and analyzed, the survey results are published in September. This year, wereceived responses returned from 130 countries. The highest respondent percentage by organization in descendingorder is, universities and research institutions, corporations, NGOs/NPOs, central governments, local governments,and mass media. (Fig.8, Table 3)
Mass Media
2%
Government
11%
Others11%

Corporation
22%

Organization
not stated0%
University, ResarchInstitute36%

NGO/NPO
18%

Fig. 8 Breakdown of Respondents by Organization● Facts about This Year’s Questionnaire
Survey period: April to June 2023
Respondents:
Environmental experts who work or who
have worked for national or local
governments, NGOs, NPOs,
universities, research institutions,
corporations, and mass media,
worldwide (listed on the Asahi GlassFoundation database).
Number of questionnaires mailed: 29,729
Number of questionnaires returned: 1,805
Response rate: 6.1%

Table 3. Number of Countries Surveyed
Number ofRegion

Countries

Africa31Asia23

Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean

12

Eastern Europe & former Soviet Union

17

Western Europe

19Middle East

9North America

2Oceania

5South America

12Total130

Table 4. Number of Respondents Surveyed
RegionNumber ofRespondents%Africa

76

4.2

Asia

1180

65.4

47

2.6

Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean
Eastern Europe & former Soviet Union

30

1.7

Western Europe

187

10.4

Middle East

19

1.1

North America

139

7.7

Oceania44

2.4South America

83

4.6

1805

100.0

Total

Appendix 2● 2023 Survey on the Awareness of Environmental Issues Among the General Public in Japan and 24 othercountries
The Asahi Glass Foundation, chaired by Takuya Shimamura, conducted an online survey of 13,500 people in Japanand 24 other countries in total, with 6,589 participants aged 18-24, and 6,911 participants aged 25-69. Its goal wasto assess awareness and action regarding environmental issues. The survey was supervised by Professor Norichika
Kanie of Keio University. Its main findings were as follows:• Overall, participants rated "Climate Change" as the most pressing environmental issue in the country or region
where they reside and expressed concern over extreme weather conditions.
• The average time given by global environmental experts was two hours ahead of the general public, at 9:31,"extremely concerned."• The time on the Environmental Doomsday Clock of the world moved back by 2 minutes. By country, in Japan,China, Italy, and Germany, the time moved back by more than 20 minutes, while in South Korea, the UK, andFrance, the time moved forward by more than 20 minutes.
The results of the 2023 Survey on the Awareness of Environmental Issues Among the General Public in Japan and24 other countries are available on our website: https://www.af-info.or.jp/en/ed_clock/wdsense_result.html