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Water Conservation Behavior and Environmental Concerns

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  • Maria Carmela Aprile
  • Damiano Fiorillo

Abstract

Water conservation represents one important pro-environmental behavior for a sustainable environment. This paper investigates the link between water conservation behavior and general environmental concerns using a large dataset as the1998 wave of Multipurpose Household Survey conducted annually by the Italian Central Statistical Office. Univariate probit models show that pollution and resource exhaustion are positively related to individual water conservation behavior while alteration of environmental heritage exhibits a negative relationship with water saving behavior. These findings are robust to the inclusion of environment knowledge and social capital variables. The robustness analysis also indicates that television and radio, participation to environmental initiatives, money for environmental protection and churchgoing are significant determinants of water conservation behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Carmela Aprile & Damiano Fiorillo, 2016. "Water Conservation Behavior and Environmental Concerns," Discussion Papers 6_2016, CRISEI, University of Naples "Parthenope", Italy.
  • Handle: RePEc:crj:dpaper:6_2016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Water conservation; environmental concerns; socio and economic characteristics; environmental knowledge; social capital; Italy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • Z00 - Other Special Topics - - General - - - General

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