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Predicting Energy-Saving Behaviour Based on Environmental Values: An Analysis of School Children’s Perspectives

Author

Listed:
  • Wan Nur Hafizah Wan Hussain

    (Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Lilia Halim

    (Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Mee Yeang Chan

    (Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

  • Norshariani Abd Rahman

    (Institute of Islam Hadhari, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia)

Abstract

Energy-saving behaviours are pro-environment behaviours that help mitigate climate change. Environmental values namely biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic one are related to one’s pro-environmental behaviour. Thus, this research examines the contribution of environmental values to the practice of energy-saving behaviour. This research employed the survey design, in which a questionnaire was administered on 341 children (aged 11 years old) in Malaysia. The data were analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that children possess all of the environmental values (biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic) and that energy-saving behaviour is found to be occasionally and often practiced in their daily lives. The students’ altruistic values contribute significantly to their energy-saving behaviour pattern compared to biospheric and egoistic values. It is argued that the children’s personal experiences with climate adversity and socioeconomic background underlie these findings. An implication of this study is that the school curriculum should allow for discourse on the connection between environmental values and pro-environmental behaviour. Relating the cause and impact of one’s action in everyday life on the environment should be inculcated across the curriculum, more importantly at the primary level.

Suggested Citation

  • Wan Nur Hafizah Wan Hussain & Lilia Halim & Mee Yeang Chan & Norshariani Abd Rahman, 2021. "Predicting Energy-Saving Behaviour Based on Environmental Values: An Analysis of School Children’s Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7644-:d:590771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Nuryazmin Ahmat Zainuri & Norshariani Abd-Rahman & Lilia Halim & Mee Yeang Chan & Nisa Nadirah Mohd Bazari, 2022. "Measuring Pro-Environmental Behavior Triggered by Environmental Values," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-17, November.
    5. Hosany, A. R. Shaheen & Hosany, Sameer & He, Hongwei, 2022. "Children sustainable behaviour: A review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 236-257.
    6. Qinghua Fu & Wafa Ghardallou & Ubaldo Comite & Irfan Siddique & Heesup Han & Juan Manuel Arjona-Fuentes & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2022. "The Role of CSR in Promoting Energy-Specific Pro-Environmental Behavior among Hotel Employees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-19, May.

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