Personality Traits as Predictors of Pro-Environmental Behavior: Evidence from the Philippines

Abstract

One of the objectives within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set by the United Nations General Assembly is to enhance global awareness about sustainable development by disseminating precise information to people worldwide and encouraging lifestyles that harmonize with nature. Pope Francis's Laudato Si' is considered by many as a landmark document urging major change because it criticizes the consumer-centered way of life and argues that protecting the Earth requires a complete shift in our priorities. It is believed that pro-environmental behaviors play an important role in achieving the goals of the SDGs, UNESCO, and Laudato Si'. Previous studies have shown relationships between pro-environmental behavior and personality traits. However, these studies were conducted in foreign contexts, and to the best of the researcher's knowledge, there was no published local study that explains the connection between personality traits and pro-environmental behavior among Filipinos, particularly those in the workforce. This is the gap that this study aimed to address. This study determined the link between personality traits and pro-environmental behavior of Filipino workers in the National Capital Region (NCR). This utilized a cross-sectional predictive design. The participants were comprised of 644 Filipino workers from the NCR. In terms of gender, there were 256 (39.8%) males, 374 (58.1%) females, and 14 (2.2%) undisclosed. Two sets of self-report questionnaires were administered online: the Brief HEXACO Inventory and the adapted General Ecological Behavior Scale. Results of the main analysis suggest that only Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience as personality traits positively predict pro-environmental behavior; while Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, and Agreeableness did not. This may suggest that individuals who score high on these personality dimensions are more likely to engage in behaviors that benefit the environment. Therefore, strategic interventions aimed at developing these qualities could potentially contribute to a significant shift towards sustainability among Filipino workers.