Social identities, climate change denial, and efficacy beliefs as predictors of pro-environmental engagements

Abstract

Climate change is a large-scale environmental crisis humanity faces. However, research shows that a considerable amount of people deny climate change. In this research, we suggest a social identity perspective on how climate change denial may exert its effects on pro-environmental engagements. To do so, we conducted a cross-sectional survey (N = 361) in which we assessed different (social) identities, efficacy beliefs, climate change denial, and pro-environmental actions. Results suggest that while environmentalist and global identities significantly predicted climate change denial, country identity did not. Environmentalist and country identities predicted collective efficacy, however, only environmentalist identity predicted participatory efficacy. Private pro-environmental behaviour was positively predicted by environmentalist and country identities; participation in collective action was positively predicted by environmentalist identity and negatively predicted by country identity. In addition, identification with environmentalist and global identities was positively associated with collective action through climate change denial and also participatory efficacy belief. These findings suggest that our consideration of climate change and behavioural choices might be shaped by our social environment.