Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) and environmental awareness, knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions and activism in South Africa. To achieve this goal, the 2010–2012 data from the International Social Survey Program “Environmental III” was analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics, including the employment of the structural equation model. Significant differences were found between pro-environmental behaviour and other environmental variables such as environmental concern, awareness, willingness to sacrifice, and others in terms of the educational background, place of living, ethnic identity and provinces where respondents lived. Thus, to increase PEB amongst citizens would require the introduction and support of development programmes that enhance access to more education and environmental awareness across all population groups.
Highlights
We found significant differences in environmental knowledge and willingness to sacrifice for the environment according to age
The aim of this paper was to describe and examine the extent to which various factors influence pro-environmental behavior (PEB) amongst respondents sampled from the South African population
By analyzing the South African data obtained from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP), we have contributed further insights into the literature on the determinants of PEB
Summary
Accelerated environmental damage and pollution is being increasingly recognized across the globe as one of the major causes of environmental change and decline, affecting the optimum functioning of the biosphere which is supporting ecological processes at various scales, environmental quality and human health Such environmental damage is caused by unrestrained human activities in the form of unsustainable natural resource consumption, increased generation of hazardous wastes, air and water pollution as well as loss of biodiversity [1–4]. PEB at the individual level is discernible from environmentally friendly activities such as waste recovery and recycling within households, decreased use of cars, avoiding air travel and not using plastic bags, and conserving natural resources such as water and energy [13,14] In light of these activities, the question which arises is what factors can encourage or discourage PEB amongst individual citizens in any given country?.
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