Pro-environmental Intentions Research Articles

Mind your actions: the place attachment - contextual factors nexus of environmental civic actions (ECA)

This paper examined the level of Environmental Civic Actions (ECA) using a modified version of the Environmental Action Scale (EAS) and Place Attachment Theory (PAT). The Environmental Action Scale measured the level of participation that would have a collective impact on environmental issues. The data was obtained via online questionnaire from 230 young and middle-aged citizens living in Nigeria. 152(66%) males and 75(33%) females indicated their gender, and most participants identified as under­graduate students (n = 179). SPSS statistical software package was used for factor analysis to ascertain if measure items were suitable for the study context using principal component analysis (extraction method) and Kaiser Normalization rotation method. Some findings revealed that the majority of participants have a high level of pro-environmental intention and low levels of actual environmental civic behav­iors. In addition, most participants never participated, organized a protest, or boycotted a company engaging in negative environ­mental behaviors. Furthermore, place attachment, and fear of punishment in form of fines, and levies influenced the intention to engage in positive environmental behavior. The study contrib­utes to the dearth of knowledge on environmental civic actions in a developing country and provides specific insights that are beneficial to policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders.

Global heart warming: kama muta evoked by climate change messages is associated with intentions to mitigate climate change.

Concern about climate change is often rooted in sympathy, compassion, and care for nature, living beings, and future generations. Feeling sympathy for others temporarily forms a bond between them and us: we focus on what we have in common and feel a sense of common destiny. Thus, we temporarily experience communal sharing relationships. A sudden intensification in communal sharing evokes an emotion termed kama muta, which may be felt through tearing up, a warm feeling in the chest, or goosebumps. We conducted four pre-registered studies (n = 1,049) to test the relationship between kama muta and pro-environmental attitudes, intentions, and behavior. In each study, participants first reported their attitudes about climate change. Then, they received climate change-related messages. In Study 1, they saw one of the two moving video clips about environmental concerns. In Study 2, participants listened to a more or less moving version of a story about a typhoon in the Philippines. In Study 3, they listened to a different, also moving version of this story or an unrelated talk. In Study 4, they watched either a factual or a moving video about climate change. Participants then indicated their emotional responses. Finally, they indicated their intentions for climate mitigation actions. In addition, we measured time spent reading about climate-related information (Studies 1, 2, and 4) and donating money (Study 4). Across all studies, we found that feelings of kama muta correlated positively with pro-environmental intentions (r = 0.48 [0.34, 0.62]) and behavior (r = 0.10 [0.0004, 0.20]). However, we did not obtain evidence for an experimental effect of the type of message (moving or neutral) on pro-environmental intentions (d = 0.04 [-0.09, 0.18]), though this relationship was significantly mediated by felt kama muta across Studies 2-4. The relationship was not moderated by prior climate attitudes, which had a main effect on intentions. We also found an indirect effect of condition through kama muta on donation behavior. In sum, our results contribute to the question of whether kama muta evoked by climate-change messages can be a motivating force in efforts at climate-change mitigation.

When narratives speak louder than numbers: the effects of narrative persuasion across the stages of behavioural change to reduce air pollution.

Is narrative persuasion effective when promoting new behaviours in favour of the environment? Does this effectiveness vary depending on whether individuals are already thinking about changing? This paper has two main objectives: (1) to explore how individuals at different stages of the behavioural change process perceive air pollution, focussing on the perceived psychological distance of its environmental risks (Study 1); and (2) to test whether the effects of presenting the risks of air pollution in a narrative vs. statistical format on pro-environmental intentions vary depending on the individuals' stage of behavioural change (Study 2). Study 1 (N = 263) is based on a survey measuring individuals' perceived psychological distance of the environmental risks of air pollution, and the perceived effectiveness of different pro-environmental behaviours. Results suggest that perceived distance and perceived effectiveness vary across different stages of behavioural change. Study 2 (N = 258) presents a 2(Format: narrative vs. statistical) × 3(Stages of change) protocol, testing the effectiveness of a narrative format depending on individuals' stage of behavioural change. Results suggest that proximising a threat through a narrative format of communication is more effective especially for individuals in the pre-action stage of change. We also present a moderated mediation model explaining the influence of the interaction between the message format and the stage of behavioural change on behavioural intentions and on efficacy appraisal via narrative engagement. Findings are discussed with regards to the stage model and narrative persuasion.

Can social impacts promote residents’ pro-environmental intentions and behaviour: Evidence from large-scale demand response experiment in China

Energy demand-side management is crucial for deep decarbonization. Consumers’ behavioral intentions and real pro-environmental behaviour have been widely discussed separately. However, few studies assessed the intention-behaviour gap and limited empirical evidence has been provided on how to promote the intention-behaviour on residential electricity demand response (DR) project. Here, we identified four intention-behaviour relationship by k-means cluster and analyzed the impacts of normative social influence and peer influence on the intention and behaviour based on large scale incentive-based DR experiment and matching questionnaires data in China. We found that the intention-behaviour gap exists in 77.94% respondents, only 16.09% respondents belong to inclined actors who has both high intention and high electricity savings behaviour. Peer influence and normative social influence can significantly increase intention to participate the DR project and energy-saving behaviour during peak hours, and the impact is larger for respondents with high family endowments and educational level. Specifically, 30.6% of the electricity saving behaviour has been explained directly by the peer influence, while normative social influence electricity saving behaviour through behavioural intention. Besides these, effort expectancy and facilitating conditions also play an important role in promoting the intention and electricity-saving behaviour. Our study further provides feasible solutions to facilitate the residential DR for policymakers.

“What goes around comes around”: Activating sustainable consumption with curvilinear effects of karma determinants

The role of karma in sustainable consumption remains unknown. This study thus offers a karmic perspective of pro-environmental consumption, wherein consumers' personal (moral) norms regarding being more pro-environment are activated by three karma dimensions: duty orientation, indifference to rewards, and equanimity. Drawing on the norm activation model, a sample of 552 participants recruited in the five largest cities in Vietnam using the mall-intercept survey approach, and an emerging analysis technique – polynomial regression with response surface analysis, the findings show that three karma dimensions individually and jointly activate consumers' personal moral norms, which in turn stimulate consumers to consume in a more environmentally friendly manner. Moreover, the ascription of responsibility is significantly related to consumers’ pro-environmental intentions and behaviors, while awareness of consequences is only significantly correlated with intentions to behave in a pro-environmental manner. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed in the context of sustainable consumption.

Understanding Pro-Environmental Behaviors and Intentions in Visitors to a Zoo-Based Seal Encounter

Increasing pro-environmental behavior may combat environmental deterioration and promote animal and human welfare. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), we investigated how an Australian zoo-based seal encounter influenced participants’ pro-environmental intentions and behavior at 1-month follow-up. Participants were 113 seal encounter visitors, with n = 29 providing 1-month post-encounter data. Pre-encounter, participants reported past and intended pro-environmental behaviors, and TPB constructs (attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective and moral norms). Post-encounter, participants rated their experience and future pro-environmental intentions. At 1-month follow-up, participants again reported their pro-environmental behaviors. The model explained past pro-environmental behaviors and future behavioral intentions (but not plastic use specifically), with subjective norms being the most important. Unlike past research, moral norms were not significant, perhaps due to the zoo-based research context. Importantly, participants reported a decrease in plastic use 1-month post-encounter. These findings provide suggestions for zoos to design encounters targeting subjective norms to promote pro-environmental behavior.

Antecedents and consequences of conspicuous green behavior on social media: Incorporating the virtual self-identity into the theory of planned behavior

Researchers advocate incorporating self-identity into the theory of planned behavior for studies investigating pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). Although social media facilitates a virtual self-identity construction, surprisingly few, if any, studies investigate virtual self-identity as a determinant of PEBs. This study introduces the concept of conspicuous green behavior (CGB) to explain social media posts about climate change which convey a pro-environmental virtual self-identity. We integrate CGB into the theory of planned behavior and investigate the relationship between CGB and pro-environmental intention and behavior. We propose subjective norms, Like-seeking and narcissism as antecedents of CGB. Using survey design, data from a sample of 436 Instagram users in the United States were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings show subjective norms, Like-seeking and narcissism influence CGB. Furthermore, CGB positively relates to individuals’ pro-environmental intentions and behaviors, particularly more conspicuous behaviors. We discuss the implications of these contributions for theory and practice.

Direct Expression or Indirect Transmission? An Empirical Research on the Impacts of Explicit and Implicit Appeals in Green Advertising

Green advertising has been shown to motivate consumers to engage in green consumption behavior. However, little is known about how resource scarcity affects the efficacy of explicit and implicit appeals in green advertising. To address it, the present research investigates the differential impacts of ecological resource scarcity (vs. abundant) and personal resource scarcity (vs. abundant) on consumers’ evaluations of explicit and implicit green advertising appeals. We proposed that the relationship between resource scarcity and green advertising appeals are mediated by consumers’ perception of green products’ effectiveness. We conducted two experimental designs to examine our hypothesis. The findings show that when consumers perceive ecological resource scarcity (vs. abundant), companies that emphasize the environmental attributes of green products (e.g., explicit appeals) are more effective in conveying green messages (study 1). Conversely, when consumers experience personal resource scarcity (vs. abundant), employing the approach of green understatement (e.g., implicit appeals) to highlight the performance advantages of green products would result in favorable consequences (study 2). Furthermore, this research reveals the critical role of perceived green products’ effectiveness in improving consumers’ attitude and purchase intention (studies 1 and 2). Resource scarcity will not always decrease consumers’ pro-environmental intention. Interestingly, ecological resource scarcity and personal resource scarcity lead to opposite preferences for green advertising appeals. These findings contribute to the literature on resource scarcity in the domain of green consumption, as well as having significant practical implications for advertisers and marketers in conveying effective information for green product promotion.

Predictors of Pro-Environmental Intention and Behavior: A Perspective of Stimulus–Organism–Response Theory

Considering the importance of pro-environmental issues, this study aims to determine the impact of level of employee education and pro-environmental intention on pro-environmental behavior based on stimulus–organism–response theory. There was a total of 425 respondents participating in the survey. This study was conducted during the period of March–June 2022. The data were analyzed using partial least square–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that the level of employee education has a positive impact on pro-environmental intention. In addition, pro-environmental intention has a significant impact on pro-environment behavior. Overall, this study sheds light on stimulus–organism–response theory in the context of Indonesia.

The Antecedents of Managers’ Environmental Management Practices and Financially Responsible Behaviour: Examining Managers’ Behaviour in Malaysia’s Environmentally Sensitive Industries

There has been an increasing focus on improving pro-environmental intentions and behaviour. This study has primarily assessed a conceptual model focusing on managers’ intentions and financially responsible behaviour. This study examined the direct influence of; managers’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural controls, and religiosity in inducing their intentions to perform pro-environmental practices, leading them to conduct financially responsible behaviour in preserving the environment. This conceptual study employed a quantitative approach and was supported by interviews to understand the findings better. A partial least squares structural equation modelling technique was adopted in analysing and interpreting the data. Data were collected from environmental and financial managers in Public Listed Companies (PLCs) using a survey design questionnaire. Specifically, responses were sought from managers from environmentally sensitive industries. Interviews were conducted to understand managers’ behaviour better. The findings of this study revealed that; subjective norms, pressures, and religiosity positively and significantly influenced managers’ intentions to perform pro-environmental practices. However, these intentions did not lead them to execute financially responsible behaviour in preserving the environment. This study’s findings exposed the need for managers to have business and government support to make preserving the environment mandatory and be financially responsible for preserving the environment.

Why just experience the future when you can change it: Virtual reality can increase pro-environmental food choices through self-efficacy.

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has the potential to play an important role in increasing environmental literacy by providing individuals the opportunity to experience plausible scenarios of climate change directly. However, there is currently little evidence for the role of IVR, and for specific design features, in increasing environmental self-efficacy. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an IVR intervention on pro-environmental intentions, knowledge, and transfer. A total of 90 middle school students were randomly assigned to two IVR intervention conditions: (a) Awareness, in which students experience the impact of their current food choices on future environmental change; (b) Awareness + Efficacy, in which students had the opportunity to change their food choices and experience the positive impact of this on future environmental change. Both interventions resulted in significant increases in intentions, knowledge, and transfer. However, the Awareness + Efficacy condition resulted in further significant increases in intentions and transfer than the awareness condition. Finally, mediation analysis showed that the effect of the Awareness + Efficacy condition on intentions and transfer was fully mediated by self-efficacy. These results suggest that allowing students not just to experience climate change but also to see the positive impact of changed personal choices can maximize the effectiveness of IVR on intentions and transfer.

Supplemental Material for Why just experience the future when you can change it: Virtual reality can increase pro-environmental food choices through self-efficacy.

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) has the potential to play an important role in increasing environmental literacy by providing individuals the opportunity to experience plausible scenarios of climate change directly. However, there is currently little evidence for the role of IVR, and for specific design features, in increasing environmental self-efficacy. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an IVR intervention on pro-environmental intentions, knowledge, and transfer. A total of 90 middle school students were randomly assigned to two IVR intervention conditions: (a) Awareness, in which students experience the impact of their current food choices on future environmental change; (b) Awareness + Efficacy, in which students had the opportunity to change their food choices and experience the positive impact of this on future environmental change. Both interventions resulted in significant increases in intentions, knowledge, and transfer. However, the Awareness + Efficacy condition resulted in further significant increases in intentions and transfer than the awareness condition. Finally, mediation analysis showed that the effect of the Awareness + Efficacy condition on intentions and transfer was fully mediated by self-efficacy. These results suggest that allowing students not just to experience climate change but also to see the positive impact of changed personal choices can maximize the effectiveness of IVR on intentions and transfer.

Pride and guilt as mediators in the relationship between connection to nature and pro-environmental intention

As a result of the environmental issues, different variables have been studied in relation to environmental concern and pro-environmental behavior. Among these are the connection to nature and emotions. In a first study (n = 95), pride and guilt were found to be emotions which can be explained by the perceived environmental impact of those rather than the behavior itself. In a second study, it was observed that pride and guilt play a mediating role in the relationship between connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behavioral intention (n = 244). On the other hand, in the relationship between love for nature and behavioral intention, pride, but not guilt, played a mediating role (n = 253). Thus, the importance of fostering both pride and guilt in attaining higher levels of environmentally conscious behavior, as well as of considering people’s perceptions of the impact of their behaviors on the environment, is highlighted.

Investigating Green Financing Factors to Entice Private Sector Investment in Renewables via Digital Media: Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Funding for developing-country investments in renewable energy sources has been considered an essential factor for sustainable development after COVID-19. Solar energy investments can be very beneficial in reducing fossil fuel usage. A poll of investors, stakeholders, industry experts, and media personalities in Pakistan was used to gather data for this study, which examines individual investors’ intentions to invest in solar energy. This study’s primary objective is to enhance investment intention connected with investment in solar energy projects after COVID-19. Investing in solar power projects in the post-COVID-19 period is the focus of this study. To evaluate the study’s hypotheses, we used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). We used the purposive sampling technique for data collection in this study. The findings show that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived investment attitudes, and evaluations of the regulatory framework influence one’s willingness to invest in renewable energy initiatives. The study identified a correlation between environmental concern, financial rewards, and investing behavior. Investors’ desire to make these kinds of investments was found to be unaffected by risk aversion. According to the data, regulatory framework evaluation is the most significant determinant. Previous research that looked at investment behavior or other forms of pro-environmental intention or behavior came to different conclusions. In addition, this study examined how the theory of planned behavior (TPB) influences investors’ intentions to invest in solar energy by evaluating the regulatory environment. The study results show that people’s attitudes and perceptions of energy efficiency indirectly impact their willingness to invest in solar power. Subjective norms do not influence investors’ plans to put money into solar energy. Policymakers will benefit from this study’s realistic advice on how to increase solar energy investments.

The Importance of Influencer-Message Congruence When Employing Greenfluencers to Promote Pro-Environmental Behavior

ABSTRACT To combat climate change, it is of vital importance that people change their behaviors. This study explores how influencers, or so-called greenfluencers, on Instagram could be utilized to stimulate pro-environmental behavior. We examine the effects of influencer-message congruence on influencer credibility (i.e. trustworthiness and expertise) and pro-environmental intentions, and compare the effects of influencer-message congruence between micro- (1000–10,000 followers) and meso- (10,000–1 million followers) influencers. Results of a 2 (influencer-message: incongruence vs. congruence) × 2 (influencer type: micro- vs. meso-influencer) online experiment amongst 201 Instagram users revealed that influencer-message congruence increased influencer credibility and pro-environmental intentions. Influencer credibility did not appear to be the underlying mechanism of the effect of congruence on pro-environmental intentions. Moreover, influencer type did not moderate the effect of influencer-message congruence. Our results imply that choosing an influencer whose image aligns with the pro-environmental message is important to stimulate Instagram users’ pro-environmental behavior.

Exploring the Concept, Antecedents, and Consequences of Environmental Psychological Ownership.

This paper extends the concept of psychological ownership to the general natural environment, clarifies the concept of environmental psychological ownership, and analyzes the formation mechanism of environmental psychological ownership from three dimensions. According to the results of structural equation model based on data obtained from the questionnaire survey, pro-environment investment, environmental self-efficacy, and environmental knowledge are all positively associated with the individual’s environmental psychological ownership, among which the correlation between environmental knowledge and environmental psychological ownership is the strongest. In addition, the environmental psychological ownership positively predicts the individual’s pro-environmental intentions. The conclusion of the study can guide how to strengthen the environmental psychological ownership, thus providing a new perspective for pro-environmental behavior intervention.

Understanding individual and collective response to climate change: The role of a self-other mismatch

Several scientists have shown the importance of mitigating global warming and have highlighted a need for major social change, particularly when it comes to meat consumption and collective engagement. In the present study (N = 486), we conducted a cross-sectional study to test the mismatch model, which aims at explaining what motivates individuals to participate in normative change. This model stipulates that perceiving a self—other difference in pro-environmental attitudes is the starting point and can motivate people to have high pro-environmental intentions. This mismatch effect is explained by participants’ willingness to participate in normative and social change: people that perceive a gap between their personal attitude and the social norm should be more willing to participate in normative change. This should then motivate them to have high pro-environmental intentions on an individual and group level. The results confirm the hypothesized model on an individual and group level and explain how people can be motivated to participate in normative change. Implications of these findings and the need for further studies are discussed.

Socio-psychological antecedents of pro-environmental intentions and behaviors among Iranian rural women: An integrative framework

The main purpose of this research was to identify factors influencing Iranian rural women’s pro-environmental intentions and behaviors by integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Value-Belief-Norm theory into a theoretical framework. The model was tested using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on data collected through a questionnaire survey from 332 Iranian rural women. The results indicated that the integrated model could account for 67 and 29 percent of the variance in pro-environmental intentions and behaviors, respectively. Perceived behavioral control was the strongest antecedent of pro-environmental behaviors, followed by intention. Perceived behavioral control was also the strongest direct determinant of intentions, followed by subjective norms and attitudes. In addition, the results revealed that awareness of consequences was indirectly and significantly related to intention through subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control. Overall, the results provided a strong support for the integrative model and yielded more insight into socio-psychological factors influencing Iranian rural women’s pro-environmental intentions and behaviors. The empirical findings of this study can be used by researchers, policymakers, and governments to develop and implement effective programs to promote sustainable behaviors among rural women.

The Relationships between Adolescents’ Climate Anxiety, Efficacy Beliefs, Group Dynamics, and Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intentions after a Group-Based Environmental Education Intervention

The present study examined the relationship between adolescents’ efficacy beliefs (both personal and collective), climate anxiety (as measured with climate worry), group dynamics during an environmental intervention, and behavioral intentions in a setting where their agency was called upon. Data were collected in French-speaking Switzerland during and after four environmental education interventions during which adolescents developed climate-related projects or narratives in small groups. Questionnaire data (N = 150 adolescents) were matched with observations (from group dynamics) and interview data (from teachers). Self- and collective efficacy, climate anxiety, citing group work as a most interesting part of the intervention, and observed group attention were all positively related to stronger pro-environmental intentions. In addition, feeling involved in the group was also indirectly related to pro-environmental behaviors, through climate anxiety. Overall, our results suggest that being worried about climate change has the potential to translate into climate action. In addition, working in small groups has clear benefits for adolescents.

#Greenfluencing. The Impact of Parasocial Relationships with Social Media Influencers on Advertising Effectiveness and Followers’ Pro-environmental Intentions

ABSTRACT Due to the practice of greenwashing, consumers’ trust in green advertising has been reduced. Consequently, when confronted with green advertising appeals, individuals often infer ulterior motives, do not purchase sustainable products and are less inclined to behave pro-environmentally. Based on their success in regular advertising campaigns, social media influencers (SMIs) have been recommended as endorsers for green products to increase advertising effectiveness and sustainable behavior, but no empirical evidence supports these suggestions. An online study with a two-level between-subjects experimental design (N = 145) was employed to validate the positive impact of green advertising on SMIs’ followers compared to non-followers. Results indicate that followers, who have established an intense parasocial relationship with the SMI, believe them to be more trustworthy and consequently attribute affective rather than calculative motives. The attribution of an affective motive, in turn, increased green advertising effectiveness. Furthermore, parasocial relationships enhanced pro-environmental intentions regarding sustainable behavior.