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Pro-Environmental Behavior: The Role of Public Perception in Infrastructure and the Social Factors for Sustainable Development

Author

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  • Darshana Rajapaksa

    (QUT Business School, Queensland University of Technology, Level 8, Z Block, Gardens Point, 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

  • Moinul Islam

    (Urban Institute, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishiku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan)

  • Shunsuke Managi

    (QUT Business School, Queensland University of Technology, Level 8, Z Block, Gardens Point, 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
    Urban Institute, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishiku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
    Departments of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan)

Abstract

The importance of public participation in the successful implementation of climate change-related policies has been highlighted in previous research. However, existing environmental behavioral studies have not sufficiently addressed the relationship among perceptions of climate change, living conditions, social demographic factors and environmentally friendly behavior. Therefore, this paper investigates whether environmental perception and other social determinants such as living conditions and the subjective evaluation of social inequality affect environmentally friendly behavior. We use survey data (N = 1500) collected in Mumbai, India, and analyze our hypotheses using a structural equation model (SEM). The empirical results confirm the direct and indirect influences of environmentally related perceptions, the subjective evaluation of living environments, social factors and other demographic characteristics on pro-environmental behavior. In particular, we find a robust positive effect of education level on pro-environmental behavior, where we observe both a direct impact and an indirect impact through positive effects on environmental knowledge. Thus, we confirm the importance of living environment, social equality and education in sustainable urban planning and efforts to mitigate climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Darshana Rajapaksa & Moinul Islam & Shunsuke Managi, 2018. "Pro-Environmental Behavior: The Role of Public Perception in Infrastructure and the Social Factors for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:937-:d:137735
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Matthew L. Richardson & Ashley D. Milton & Elgloria Harrison, 2020. "People with Different Educational Attainment in Washington, DC, USA have Differential Knowledge and Perceptions about Environmental Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
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    12. Tan-Soo, Jie-Sheng & Li, Jun & Qin, Ping, 2023. "Individuals' and households' climate adaptation and mitigation behaviors: A systematic review," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    13. Khuc, Quy Van & Tran, Phuong-Mai, 2022. "Framework for energy transformation," OSF Preprints et3r2, Center for Open Science.
    14. Hasan Fehmi Topal & Dexter V. L. Hunt & Christopher D. F. Rogers, 2021. "Sustainability Understanding and Behaviors across Urban Areas: A Case Study on Istanbul City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-38, July.
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    16. Mst Asma Khatun & Shibly Shahrier & Koji Kotani, 2020. "Cooperation and cognition gaps for salinity: A field experiment of information provision," Working Papers SDES-2020-4, Kochi University of Technology, School of Economics and Management, revised Jun 2020.
    17. Almulhim, Abdulaziz I., 2022. "Understanding public awareness and attitudes toward renewable energy resources in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 572-582.
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    21. Simangele Dlamini & Solomon G. Tesfamichael & Yegnanew Shiferaw & Tholang Mokhele, 2020. "Determinants of Environmental Perceptions and Attitudes in a Socio-Demographically Diverse Urban Setup: The Case of Gauteng Province, South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, April.
    22. Inna Čábelková & Wadim Strielkowski & Frank-Detlef Wende & Raisa Krayneva, 2020. "Factors Influencing the Threats for Urban Energy Networks: The Inhabitants’ Point of View," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-19, October.
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