Chinese people are increasingly recognizing the impact individual behavior may bring to the environment, but their practices are still far from satisfactory in certain areas, according to a new report released on Friday.

Compiled by the Policy Research Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the report is based on 13,086 questionnaires collected from 31 provinces and regions nationwide.

The report said people have both high recognition and effective practices in five areas, such as saving energy and resources and reducing pollution.

For example, over 90 percent of people surveyed said they always turn off the lights when leaving the room and about 60 percent of interviewees said public transportation is their preferred choice.

However, people recorded unsatisfactory performance in areas such as sorting garbage and green consumption.

Data cited from the report shows nearly 60 percent of people surveyed go shopping without bringing grocery bags, and about 70 percent thought they didn't do a good job classifying garbage because they had no idea how to do this, or lacked the energy.

Guo Hongyan, an official from the research center, said this is the first time a nationwide survey on people's individual ecological protection behaviors has been taken. This will help promote green lifestyle to regular people and shape a comprehensive environmental management system consisting of government, enterprises, social organizations and the public.