Environmental Behavior Change Research Articles

The effectiveness of stage-matched interventions in changing waste source separation behaviour: Evidence from a consecutive quasi-experiment.

In many developing countries, inefficient waste source separation poses a significant challenge to sustainable waste management systems, hindering progress towards a circular economy. Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of informational interventions and has not thoroughly evaluated regulatory measures. This study innovatively employs a quasi-experimental design, enhanced by successive surveys, to assess the impact of targeted interventions on behavioural changes in waste separation practices. Utilizing the Health Action Process Approach, we introduced three interventions - posters, educational lectures and a supervision policy - over 8 weeks among university students. Our results indicate stepwise improvements in waste separation accuracy: posters modestly increased awareness without significantly altering behaviours; educational lectures led to a 40% increase in the food waste separation rate and supervision achieved over 90% separation purity, but with an increase in 'fly-dumping'. The interventions incurred costs of 36, 60 and 365 RMB per capita annually. This research underlines the importance of customized informational interventions and the costs and challenges of initial regulatory measures in waste management, offering crucial empirical evidence and insights for creating impactful environmental behaviour change interventions.

The impact of pollution information disclosure on household electricity consumption: Evidence from China

Using the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and other county- and city-level datasets, we examined the effect of pollution information disclosure (PID) on household electricity use in China. The results show that PID led to a significant increase in the sensitivity of household electricity consumption to changes in air quality, particularly in higher-income and more educated households and in more polluted cities. This finding may be attributed to enhanced public awareness of pollution risk and subsequent behavioral responses. We highlight the need for holistic policies based on the interplay between environmental awareness, behavioral change, and energy consumption.

The Nexus between Environmental Factors and Behaviour Change in the Upper East Region of Ghana: The Mediating Role of Marketing Strategies

This study aimed to explore the mediating role of marketing strategies in the relationship between environmental factors and behavior change in healthcare utilisation. A cross-sectional survey design was conducted using a random sampling technique to select 474 healthcare workers from six Health Directorates across Municipalities and Districts in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The target population from which the sample size was determined was 1980. The theories that guided this study were the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Planned Behaviour. A structured questionnaire was designed using a five-point Likert scale and administered to the respondents. The data was collected over three months from February to April. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) with AMOS was employed to analyse the data. Findings revealed that marketing strategies mediate the relationship between environmental factors and behaviour change. The predicted hypotheses were found to be positive and significant. The study highlights the importance of marketing strategies in disseminating health-related information, which influences positive behaviour change toward healthcare utilisation. The study found that marketing strategies play a crucial role in disseminating health information and promoting behaviour change. The mediating role of marketing strategies in the relationship between environmental factors and behaviour change was established. All hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating the key role of marketing strategies in improving health outcomes through behaviour modification. It is recommended that healthcare facility managers consider incorporating marketing strategies into their strategic plans to optimise outcomes.

Developing a local behaviour change intervention for increased biowaste sorting: a social marketing formative study

Purpose This paper aims to describe a case study of a formative study for the development of a social marketing campaign for increased biowaste sorting. In following the social marketing principles, it provides insights for practitioners willing to implement behaviour change interventions. Design/methodology/approach The case study describes the scoping review, expert interviews, online survey and focus groups, which were integrated to comprehend the specificities of biowaste sorting in the South Suburbs of Athens. This mixed-method research design enabled a comprehensive understanding of biowaste sorting practices that would not have been attainable through a single method. Findings This study found that the “descriptive norm” and “perceived controllability” significantly influenced biowaste sorting. Differential challenges of at-home and out-of-home sorting were also identified. The demand for more information was also highlighted. The tailored intervention comprises of a mix of behavioural modelling, persuasive communication, education and enablement. Originality/value By concretely showcasing how the integration of multiple research methods through the application of social marketing principles can guide the design of a tailored behaviour change intervention, this paper offers an outline for informed decision-making and strategic planning in the realm of (environmental) behaviour change.

Study of Environmental Education Programs and Behavior Change in Ethiopia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the Study of Environmental Education Programs and Behavior Change in Ethiopia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Environmental education programs in Ethiopia have successfully increased awareness and promoted sustainable practices among communities. These initiatives have focused on issues like deforestation, soil erosion, and water conservation, encouraging behaviors such as waste reduction and sustainable agriculture. Community involvement and stakeholder engagement have been crucial in maintaining these positive changes. Scaling up these efforts is essential for long-term environmental sustainability in Ethiopia. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Theory of planned behavior (TPB), social learning theory & diffusion of innovations theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of urban green spaces on air quality in Bangkok. Advocate for the integration of environmental education into formal educational curricula at all levels, emphasizing hands-on learning and practical applications. Advocate for policies that mandate or incentivize environmental education across educational systems and workplaces.

Recycling Reinforced: The Synergistic Dynamics of Sustainable Behavior

Recent research has specifically targeted the decision-making process of eco-friendly individuals, emphasizing the significance of recycling and its impact on sustainability. Our study extends this inquiry by examining the correlation between recycling participation and pro-environmental behavior among consumers, integrating the concepts of self-efficacy, feelings of pride, and social pressure into our analysis. We utilized targeted sampling to collect data from a diverse sample of 378 participants, ensuring representation across key demographic groups. By employing Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), we aimed to explore the intricate relationships underpinning recycling behaviors and pro-environmental actions. The results suggest that self-efficacy and feelings of pride significantly influence individuals’ recycling behaviors, highlighting the role of psychological and social factors in promoting environmental sustainability. It was concluded that social pressure did not have the expected moderating effect on increasing consumers’ feelings of pride and self-efficacy toward recycling activities. This study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms that drive pro-environmental actions, contributes to understanding sustainability promotion through recycling, and offers insights for policymakers and environmental advocates to help foster environmental responsibility and behavior change. The findings emphasize that individuals often value personal achievement and development more when addressing environmental responsibilities and that social pressure does not achieve its expected effects.

Environmental Behaviour and Climate Change Promotion Impact via Social Media Platforms: A Review

Environmental Behaviour and Climate Change Promotion Impact via Social Media Platforms: A Review

Exploring the Acceptability of an Environmental Education Program for Youth in Rural Areas: ECOCIDADANIA Project

Background: There has been a growing interest in environmental education programs to improve environmental awareness and behavior change among school-aged youth. Yet, assessment of the approaches aligned with citizen science principles emphasizing community participation and empowerment is scarce. The present study aimed to explore the acceptability of the “ECOCIDADANIA” environmental education program targeted at youth in rural areas. Methods: The program was applied for two years in the municipality of Gouveia, and it involved nature walks methodologies combined with citizen science. A total of 107 students participated in the program. Eighteen participants (13 youth and 5 teachers) were selected as key informants, and semistructured interviews were conducted to assess the appropriateness of the intervention and the perceived benefits. Results: The program was demonstrated to be acceptable to youth and teachers, and its benefits included increasing students’ knowledge, skills and self-efficacy, discovering the territory, promoting environmental awareness, strengthening social relationships between peers and educators, and contributing to the promotion of individual and collective well-being. All the participants were satisfied with the program’s activities and recommend its continuation in the school context. Conclusions: Programs of this nature could foster environmental activism and enhance environmental sustainability at the local level, which reinforces the entrepreneurship profile of the youth.

Seeing Within, Without, Across and Between

Seeing Within, Without, Across and Between

Why travel far to learn? A study of environmental behaviour change experience of residential outdoor environmental education participants

ABSTRACT Residential outdoor environmental education (ROEE) is commonly used to educate people about the environment. This research focuses on the participants’ subjective perceptions of the impact of the drag and drop approach used in ROEE courses on changing their environmental behaviour and the extent to which the changes (if any) are sustained. The study adopted a narrative approach and used the transtheoretical model (TTM) as the theoretical framework for the investigation. Eleven former participants of the ROEE courses were interviewed. The interview data were analysed by using the method of individual narrative and thematic analysis. The study found that the ROEE courses did not change the participants’ environmental attitudes and behaviour in a significant way due to three explanations: i) sociocultural differences between locations; ii) unsuitable contents, and iii) discontinued learning experience and intervention. This study provides extensive suggestions of how the practice of ROEE courses can be improved which is based on the participants’ narrative of unsuccessful learning intervention approaches.

Promoting environmental literacy and behavior change among individuals and communities in digital era

This study explores the endeavour to enhance environmental literacy and foster behavior change within Asia’s diverse and dynamic context. Amidst cultural richness, economic disparities, and urbanization challenges, the quest for sustainable practices takes on unique dimensions. This research delves into the complexities and opportunities of nurturing environmental awareness and driving positive behavior change in the Asian context. Cultural diversity necessitates tailored approaches, aligning behavior change interventions with local norms and values. Socioeconomic disparities demand equitable access to education, resources, and sustainable options, ensuring inclusivity across all segments of society. The rise of consumerism and urbanization necessitates innovative strategies that reshape urban landscapes and challenge convenience-oriented lifestyles. Educational strategies emerge as pivotal, capitalizing on institutions’ roles in disseminating environmental knowledge. Collaboration between educational bodies, governments, and non-governmental organizations is essential to establish a strong foundation of environmental literacy. The influence of traditional wisdom, indigenous practices, and the collective mindset can guide behavior change initiatives, embedding sustainable choices within cultural identities. By embracing the unique characteristics of Asia and recognizing the global implications of behavior change efforts within the region, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of promoting sustainable behaviors that resonate with diverse communities.

Time spent on separating waste is never wasted: Fostering people's recycling behavior through the use of a mobile application

The current study investigates 1) whether using a recycling app can stimulate recycling behavior and 2) which behavioral model best explains whether people use a recycling app (comparing the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Technology Acceptance Model). A within-subjects experiment was conducted (N = 118) in which a baseline week of recycling was compared with an intervention week (in which participants used a recycling app). Experience sampling methodology (ESM) was used to assess daily recycling behavior. The results showed that using a recycling app increased recycling behavior. Furthermore, the results showed that both TPB and TAM were suitable to explain recycling app use intentions, but not actual app use. This research provides practical implications by adding insights on how to stimulate app use, and ultimately, recycling behavior. Furthermore, the findings have important theoretical implications because they enhance our understanding of app use for environmental behavior change.

Tourist transformation: an empirical analysis of female and male experiences

ABSTRACT Recent advancements have been made in our understanding of transformative tourism, but the gap between conceptualisations and experiences has yet to be bridged. Using existing theories defining tourist transformation, this study empirically examines male and female travellers’ subjective experiences and identifies types of transformation. A survey of 514 participants was conducted, and the data analysed through an exploratory factor analysis. The results suggest that tourist transformation corresponds to reflection, changing worldviews, existential transformation processes and outcomes, transformative learning outcomes, environmental sustainability awareness, cross-cultural understanding, wellbeing, and behavioural change. Significant differences between women and men’s experiences were only found in two factors, namely reflection and transformative learning outcomes. These results contribute to the theoretical and practical understanding of tourist transformation and indicate that there might be more to ‘the’ transformative travel experience.

Beyond inspiration: Translating zoo and aquarium experiences into conservation behavior.

Conservation first appeared as a role for zoos and aquariums in the late 20th century, and over the past few decades has evolved to be central to the mission of modern, accredited zoos and aquariums (henceforth zoos). More recently, promoting proenvironmental behavior is increasingly recognized as an essential means for zoos to achieve their shared conservation mission. To support continued progress throughout the field, there is a need for greater clarity and confidence regarding successful approaches for promoting proenvironmental behavior. A growing body of research into the conservation-related outcomes of zoo experiences, along with findings from behavioral and social sciences, provides a basis for understanding how the relationship zoos have with their audiences can translate into measurable conservation results. By shifting the balance between motivation to act and barriers to actions so that motivation is the greater force, zoos can tip the behavior balance to successfully promote action on behalf of nature and wildlife. Zoo audiences are, on average, more intrinsically motivated to take action on behalf of wildlife than the public at large. By introducing extrinsic motivators and reducing barriers, zoos can set up the circumstances that move motivated individuals to take conservation action. Even individuals who lack intrinsic motivation can be moved to action through sufficiently attractive extrinsic benefits and low barriers. In this paper we present a framework that synthesizes this study and theory on environmental behavior change and offers actionable approaches for zoo and aquarium practitioners.

Food Practice Lifestyles: Identification and Implications for Energy Sustainability.

Food systems, including production, acquisition, preparation, and consumption, feature importantly in environmental sustainability, energy consumption and climate change. With predicted increases in food and water shortages associated with climate change, food-related lifestyle and behavioral changes are advocated as important mitigation and adaptation measures. Yet, reducing emissions from food systems is predicted to be one of our greatest challenges now and in the future. Traditional theories of environmental behavioral change often assume that individuals make “reasoned choices” that incorporate cost–benefit assessment, moral and normative concerns and affect/symbolic motives, yielding behavioral interventions that are often designed as informational or structural strategies. In contrast, some researchers recommend moving toward an approach that systematically examines the temporal organization of society with an eye toward understanding the patterns of social practices to better understand behaviors and develop more targeted and effective interventions. Our study follows on these recommendations with a study of food consumption “lifestyles” in the United States, using extant time use diary data from a nationally representative sample of Americans (n = 16,100) from 2014 to 2016. We use cluster analysis to identify unique groups based on temporal and locational eating patterns. We find evidence of six respondent clusters with distinct patterns of food consumption based on timing and location of eating, as well as individual and household characteristics. Factors associated with cluster membership include age, employment status, and marital status. We note the close connections between age and behaviors, suggesting that a life course scholarship approach may add valuable insight. Based on our findings, we identify opportunities for promoting sustainable energy use in the context of the transition to renewables, such as targeting energy-shifting and efficiency-improvement interventions based on group membership.

A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework

This study uses qualitative research methods of text mining to elucidate the potential and prospects for community-based learning opportunities for raising environmental awareness and bringing about healthy behaviour change among university students and local residents. In particular, we focus on the importance of community-based learning in raising environmental awareness and inspiring action to support healthy living and harmony with nature. The three groups were triangulated using semi-structured questionnaires to model the ways in which education for sustainable development (ESD) can contribute to the promotion of environmental education in local communities. In order to collect in-depth data, the authors themselves were present at the study sites and collected textual data based on semi-structured questionnaires in a participatory observation framework, where they had a common experience to understand the observations. Analysis was carried out using NVivo12. The two community learning initiatives studied were in Okayama and Tokyo, which are leading ESD policy areas. The two case studies are both university student-led projects that aim to raise environmental awareness in local communities through environmentally conscious behaviour change and the creation of a foundation for healthy living. This study focuses on “youth” and “community” among the five priority areas proposed in the 2015 ESD report and discusses the potential and prospects for community learning initiatives and the triggering of the nudge effect on environmentally conscious behaviour change and health behaviours. The results of the textual analysis with triangulation show that, while policymakers and teachers and leaders driving the initiative acknowledge the importance of ESD in a comprehensive way, their attention is more focused on the design of specific projects and curricula. In contrast, university students engaged in ESD activities rated the social education facilities (local community centres, community learning centres) as “lively” and “motivating”. It was found that there are high expectations for “public living rooms”, which are important as a base for learning to promote healthy and sustainable communities and environmentally conscious behaviour change.

Study design and rationale for a cluster randomized trial of a safe child feces management intervention in rural Odisha, India

BackgroundPoor child feces management (CFM) is believed to be an important source of exposure to enteric pathogens that contribute to a large disease burden in low-income settings. While access to sanitation facilities is improving, national surveys indicate that even households with latrines often do not safely dispose of their child’s feces. Working with caregivers in rural Odisha, India, we co-developed an intervention aimed at improving safe disposal of child feces and encouraging child latrine use at an earlier age. We describe the rationale for the intervention and summarize the protocol for a cluster randomized trial (CRT) to evaluate its effectiveness at changing CFM practices.MethodsThe intervention consists of six behavior change strategies together with hardware provision: wash basin and bucket with lid to aid safe management of soiled nappies and a novel latrine training mat to aid safe disposal and latrine training. The intervention will be offered at the village level to interested caregivers of children < 5 years of age by a community-based organization. Following a baseline survey, 74 villages were randomly allocated to either intervention or control arm. The primary outcome is caregiver reported safe disposal of child feces after last defecation, either by the caregiver disposing of the child’s feces into the latrine or the child using the latrine, measured approximately four to six months following intervention delivery. Secondary outcomes include fecal contamination of household drinking water and the childs’ hands. A process evaluation will also be conducted to assess intervention fidelity and reach, and explore implementer and participant feedback.DiscussionThis study addresses a crucial knowledge gap in sanitation by developing a scalable intervention to improve safe management of child feces. The behavior change strategies were designed following the Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities and Self-Regulation (RANAS) approach, which has shown to be effective for other environmental behavior change interventions in low-income settings. The latrine training mat hardware is a novel design developed cooperatively and manufactured locally. The evaluation follows a rigorous CRT study design assessing the impact of the intervention on CFM behavior change, as well as fecal contamination of two sources of potential exposure.Trial registrationThis trial is registered at ISRCTN: ISRCTN15831099.

Leveraging emotion-behavior pathways to support environmental behavior change

Many global environmental threats are driven by human behavior and require behavioral solutions. Researchers in the environmental field have recently explored the behavioral sciences as core to changing behavior for conservation, yet leveraging human emotions remains an underused tool for behavior change compared to others like social norms. Humans experience a range of emotions that each cause distinct patterns of behavior depending on unique contexts that evolved over time; this presents an opportunity to leverage emotions to support behavior-change goals. The existing literature and models of behavior change offer minimal guidance about which specific emotions to use in which contexts and how those emotions might lead to certain behaviors. In the environmental field specifically, there have been mixed recommendations on using emotions, resulting from an incomplete understanding of the causal relationship between emotions, contexts, and environmental behaviors. We propose that adopting a functionalist approach, which describes emotions as functional states designed to produce outcomes in specific contexts, will help to unlock emotions as a tool for conservation. To demonstrate this approach, we identified fear, hope, the prospect of shame, pride, anger, and interest as particularly relevant for environmental behavior change. Based on an understanding of each emotion’s function, we developed an emotion-behavior pathway that described the expected outcome of using an emotion in a particular context. Applying these emotional-behavior pathways can allow both researchers and practitioners to advance the science of shifting environmental behavior through emotion.

Effect of Pro-Environmental Prenatal Education Program on Pregnant Women's Environmental Health Awareness and Behaviors based on the Protection Motivation Theory.

This study aimed to verify whether a pro-environmental prenatal education program has an effect on pregnant women’s environmental health awareness and behaviors in Korea. This quasi-experimental study employed a nonequivalent control group and nonsynchronized design based on the protection motivation theory as a theoretical framework. In total, 96 pregnant women had their data collected and analyzed in Korea (40 in the experimental group; and 56 in the control group). Data collection through self-reported questionnaire was conducted between September 2017 and August 2018. The program consisted of lectures and group activities aimed at educating participants on environmental awareness and behaviors. The data were analyzed using t-test, chi square test, and ANCOVA using SPSS 24.0 program. After the intervention, the experimental group showed significantly higher sensitivity (54.78 ± 9.47 and 49.75 ± 5.42; F = 15.13, P < .001), susceptibility (26.30 ± 5.18 and 24.28 ± 4.53; F = 53.94, P < .001), response efficacy (27.40 ± 3.40 and 25.18 ± 4.23; F = 39.42, P < .001), self-efficacy (22.43 ± 4.15 and 21.35 ± 4.25; F = 41.13, P < .001), individual environmental behavior (58.59 ± 12.25 and 51.93 ± 12.64; F = 172.75, P < .001), and communal environmental behavior (18.45 ± 9.68 and 13.13 ± 8.24; F = 126.26, P < .001) than the control group. The developed pro-environmental prenatal education program contained content on the environment and pregnancy, environmental toxin, effects of endocrine disruptors, airborne pollutants, water pollutant, soil pollutant, radio-electronic exposure, and pro-environmental health behaviors during pregnancy. Pregnant women who participated in the pro-environmental prenatal education program had positive changes in environmental health perceptions and behaviors. As environmental hazards continue to increase, pregnant women should receive effective motivational education on eco-environmental protection to increase their sensitivity to environmental risk factors and to encourage active environmental health behaviors.

COMPOSTING MODEL WITH THE REUSE OF ORGANIC WASTE IN RURAL SCHOOLS

School institutions become producers of organic waste as a result of the daily consumption of school meals offered to students during the school year. An alternative, so that this material is not incorrectly released into the environment, is the implementation of a composting model that will reuse organic waste, generating humus, which will serve as fertilizer for the implementation of a vegetable garden in the school in the rural area. This work aims to propose a composter model in a School in the Rural Area of Manaus for the reuse of organic waste, to develop a prototype of composter for the production of humic substances and mineral nutrients for the creation of gardens, to prepare the manual with guidelines for the correct and sustainable management of the composting plant and the school garden and implementing the garden system through the composting process using school organic waste. The work is a case study that proposes to implement a prototype of compost for the production of humic substances and mineral nutrients for the construction of a school garden. It is intended that the proposal raises the awareness of the school community for the correct management and reuse of solid waste generated by the school and arouse in students and teachers the interest in environmental education and behavior change for the preservation of the environment in which they live.