Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Environmental Protection in the Financial Decisions of Individual Consumers

Abstract

Insufficient environment protection may have serious ecological consequences, resulting in a number of problems in the modern world, many of which are a direct result of human behavior. Therefore, one needs to limit negative ecological effects by consciously shaping environment-related behaviors. The present paper analyzes the declared attitudes of individuals when it comes to taking into consideration pro-environmental factors, including energy, consumption, and waste. We have also studied the social awareness of the socially responsible investment idea, as well as pro-ecological individual behaviors related to private finance. Our survey study, conducted on a representative sample of 1030 Polish respondents, shows that participants’ individual features have little impact on pro-ecological decisions, and that declared pro-ecological attitudes are not reflected in actual behaviors. Polish consumers are still not active enough in making decisions concerning pro-ecological actions, first of all, in terms of energy and waste. As a result of the conducted research, we suggest increasing all activities in the field of environmental policy that could increase the participation of society in facilitating sustainable development.

Pro-Environmental Behaviour in the European Union Countries

“…The research also indicates that there is a statistically significant negative correlation between PEB at the country level and the proportion of households with children in total households, which on the one hand indicates that young people do not show higher PEB, but also that the countries at lower levels of economic development have a higher proportion of households with children. No correlation, however, has been found between PEB and the number of women per 100 men, which is consistent with the results of studies showing that men and women manifest similar pro-environmental behaviour [21].…”

“…This study differs from the existing research in two fundamental aspects, both of which concern the assessment of pro-environmental behaviour. Most empirical studies have so far taken into account individual types of behaviour, such as separate waste collection [19], energy conservation [20], or the generally understood pro-environmental behaviour [21]. In this study, pro-environmental behaviour includes several aspects, including the use of renewable energy, waste separation, and the use of public transport.…”

What Solutions for Waste Management? Issues of Flows and Governance Exemplified by the Łódź Agglomeration (Poland)

“…To some extent at least, the methods presented in this article can provide answers for these dilemmas, given the way they bring the desired effects when it comes to both social dialogue and the implementation of GeoDesign. There is also some kind of antidote offered to the not-very-optimistic research results presented by Walczak et al [62], with the difference being that the main interest in eco-innovation and research in this context is being shown by local government.…”

“…However, the early nature of the stage reached in Poland when it comes to developing eco-innovation gains confirmation in the research, as does the limited level of public involvement in pro-environmental initiatives [62]. While a diversified market characterising recipients allows relatively low prices to be maintained, these should depend more and more on implemented innovation allowing wastes to be used as raw materials.…”

Behavioral Economics and Energy Consumption: Behavioral Data Analysis the Role of Attitudes and Beliefs on Household Electricity Consumption in Iran

“…The availability and possibility of using electricity to meet the needs of households have gradually become a criterion for determining their level of well-being. Since a large part of cultural programs is broadcasted through video and audio media, electricity indirectly plays an important role in promoting the cultural level of society [5].…”