Data Source

Survey

Type of Study

Cross-section, occasional

Data gathering method

Face-to-face interview (CAPI, PAPI)

Depending on regions, other methods (telephone, Internet or CAPI) were used.

Ease

On site free access to defined tables and microdata files for scientific purpose and elaboration. Notes for general use and for media. - Free access in Spanish and English to tables (http://www.ine.es/jaxi/menu.do?type=pcaxis&path=%2Ft25%2Fp500&file=inebase&L=0) - Anonymized microdata in Spanish and English (http://www.ine.es/en/prodyser/micro_hogmed_en.htm)

Conditions of access

Formal agreements (e.g. fees, research contracts, institutional agreements, etc.)

This survey was not in the INE operational plan, but INE carried it out in cooperation with the regional statistical offices. No fees in most cases with the exception of very specific demands.

Time elapsed between application and reception of data

1-2 weeks (depending on the application)

Type of available data (e.g. anonymised microdata, aggregated tables, etc.)

Aggregated and elaborated tables. Raw anonymised microdata.

Formats available

ASCII zip file following a register design file (EXCEL format)

Language issues

The website is in Spanish and English, but technical documents and record design files are available only in Spanish. Survey methodology is also available in English (http://www.ine.es/en/metodologia/t25/t2530500_en.pdf).

Years of collection, reference years, and sample sizes

Data were collected from April to September 2008 with a sample size of 27,832 dwellings (26,689 effective dwellings and 24,571 individuals). It was a multi-stage, stratified survey of main dwellings and one resident, aged 17 or older, was interviewed.

First year of collection

2008

Stratification if applicable

Dwellings, households and individuals aged 17 and over

Base used for sampling

Census tracts based in the municipal size according to the Municipal Register (2008)

Geographical coverage and breakdowns

All of Spain and its regions

Age range

Population aged 17 and over

Statistical representativeness

Data regarding regions are also representative

Coverage of main and cross-cutting topics

- Dwellings: Water (source of drinking water, saving devices, consumption habits) Energy (sources, heating, air conditioning, thermal insulation) Waste (separation, availability of containers, waste disposal sites) Equipment and use of housing in relation to the environment (big and small appliances, frequency of use) Noise and bad smell problems (intensity, causes, measures taken) Transport and mobility (household transportation modes, data on cars and use) Lifestyles and consumption patterns (habits regarding saving energy, waste and recycling, frequency) - Individuals: Consumption habits (water, transportation modes and frequency – public, private) Environment self-perception and activities fostering environmental consciousness Classification variables are: - Dwellings: regions, municipal size, household type and size, income - Household reference member: sex, age, nationality, educational level, economic activity - All individual interviewed: regions, municipal size, sex, age, country of birth, nationality, civil status, educational level, economic activity, occupational status

Further Reading

• Aisa, R., & Larramona, G. ”Household water saving: Evidence from Spain”. Water Resour. Res. 48 (2012) W12522. DOI:10.1029/2012WR012021. • Martínez-Espiñeira, R., & García-Valiñas, M.A. “Adopting versus adapting: adoption of water-saving technology versus water conservation habits in Spain”. International Journal of Water Resources Development (2012). • Mas, M., & Iztueta-Azkue, A. “Microdata perturbation preserving multivariate relations of target categorical variables in the Household Environmental Survey of EUSTAT”. Joint UNECE/Eurostat work session on statistical data confidentiality 2(4) (2009): 10. Available at: www.unece.org/.../wp.34.e.pdf
• Teijeiro, C., & Angulo, C. “Elaboración de un indicador sintético de medio ambiente. Resultados derivados de la Encuesta de Hogares y Medio Ambiente 2008”. Documentos de Trabajo. Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) (2010). Available at: www.ine.es/.../Satellite

Standardisation

Only some classification variables (economic activity, occupation) are harmonized to the Spanish standards

Possibility of linkage among databases

No

Entry errors if applicable

Treatment of non-response and debugging rules were common following the statistical procedures of the Regional Statistical Offices and the INE. EHMA assessment report on non-response can be accessed in Spanish (www.ine.es/daco/daco43/t2530p500_evaluacion.pdf
).

Breaks

No changes in methodology or definitions as it is a unique survey

Consistency of terminology or coding used during collection

Same definitions as those existing in similar social surveys are used in EHS 2008 to ensure comparability between different sources in terms of the common characteristics.

The regional statistical offices and the National Statistics Institute (INE) started collaborating to implement in Spain, in 2006, the basis for the European Household Survey (EHS). As no decision was made at the European level, INE planned to carry out this EHS 2008 in Spain, adapting it to the Eurostat methodological guidelines and contents. The two main goals were to search for the habits, consumption patterns and attitudes of households in relation to the environment and to study the household equipment and the uses regarding some environmental aspects (energy saving, reduction of energy consumption, waste separation, etc.) in order to formulate environmental policies. Debugging, coding and recording procedures were homogenized in all regions according to the INE common rules in order to achieve maximum comparability. Questionnaires were translated into specific regional language for the regions with two co-official languages. Strengths: This was the first Spanish initiative in surveying environmental conditions.