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Links between Climate Change Knowledge, Perception and Action: Impacts on Personal Carbon Footprint

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  • Emilio Chuvieco

    (Cátedra de Ética Ambiental, Departamento de Geología, Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

  • Mario Burgui-Burgui

    (Cátedra de Ética Ambiental, Departamento de Geología, Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

  • Anabel Orellano

    (Cátedra de Ética Ambiental, Departamento de Geología, Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

  • Gonzalo Otón

    (Departamento de Geología, Geografía y Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

  • Paloma Ruíz-Benito

    (Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Spain)

Abstract

The current understanding of determinants of climate action and mitigation behaviour is largely based on measures of climate change including concerns, attitudes and beliefs. However, few studies have shown the actual effects of external and internal drivers on citizens’ lifestyles related to climate change, particularly in terms of their carbon footprint (CF). A questionnaire (N = 845) assessing the impact of potential explanation factors for personal CF was carried out in Spain. The study showed the importance of better understanding the factors affecting citizen’s consumption and climate change mitigation policies. Internal factors were not very explicative. Knowledge was linked to clothing and perceived commitment to food, with both sectors being more directly linked to personal choices than other CF sections. Both accounted for 40% of personal emissions. Frequency of action was not shown to be significantly related to any CF section. External factors, such as income, level of studies, age and type of work, were found to be more important than internal drivers in explaining personal CF, particularly type of work, age and income, which were linked to all CF sectors but household energy. Sex was highly associated to clothing, but also significant for transport. Political orientation was not found to be linked to any section of personal CF.

Suggested Citation

  • Emilio Chuvieco & Mario Burgui-Burgui & Anabel Orellano & Gonzalo Otón & Paloma Ruíz-Benito, 2021. "Links between Climate Change Knowledge, Perception and Action: Impacts on Personal Carbon Footprint," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:8088-:d:597681
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Lloyd S. Davis & Bienvenido León & Michael J. Bourk & Lei Zhu & Wiebke Finkler, 2022. "Infotainment May Increase Engagement with Science but It Can Decrease Perceptions of Seriousness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Florian Fizaine & Guillaume Le Borgne, 2025. "Climate knowledge matters: A causal analysis of knowledge and individual carbon emissions," Post-Print hal-05079084, HAL.
    4. Elizabeth Arif & Anupama A. Sharan & Warren Mabee, 2025. "An Analysis of the Compatibility Between Popular Carbon Footprint Calculators and the Canadian National Inventory Report," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-21, July.

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