Environmental protection is China's fourth most important social issue, after healthcare, employment and income disparites, a survey by China's Environmental Awareness Program and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences shows.

China Daily reports the survey factored in responses from over 3,000 people in 20 provinces over the course of a year.

It says more than half of the respondents were aware of reduced use of plastic bags, while more than 66 percent were familiar with the concept of trash sorting.

Though public awareness of environmental protection is high, the survey also reveals that the words have not been put into action. Despite the fact that 90 percent of respondents said they saved water, electricity and gas, up to 80 percent said they would not refrain from sending paper cards during festivals, and more than half said they would not refrain from smoking in public.