Changes in pro-environmental behaviour and its determinants during long-term period in a transition country as Lithuania

Abstract

The changes in pro-environmental behaviour, whether people become more environmentally friendly or not, have been analysed very scarcely. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to analyse the changes in pro-environmental behaviour and its determinants in Lithuania as a transition European Union country comparing years 2011 and 2020. Applying Chi-Square and t test statistics, the results showed a significant increase in performance of pro-environmental behaviour in 2020. Waste sorting and purchase of environmentally friendly goods increased the most, meanwhile water and energy saving behaviour increased the least. Applying the value-belief-norm theory and leaner regression analysis, we analysed whether the same determinants influenced pro-environmental behaviour in 2011 and 2020. The results revealed that the impact of determinants differed. In 2020, the main factor of pro-environmental behaviour was the perception of environmental problems but not self-transcendence values dimension. Furthermore, self-enhancement values and awareness of behavioural consequences negatively influenced pro-environmental behaviour in 2020. Analysing the changes in these factors, an insignificant difference was observed in self-enhancement values. The changes in other factors were significant, particularly the changes in the level of environmental responsibility was the biggest. Therefore, implementation of environmental education and information programmes and various environmentally friendly public initiatives positively contributed to the enhancement of environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviour.

Honing action competence in sustainable development: what happens in classrooms matters

“…European Commission, 2019; United Nations, 2019) underscore the importance of sustainable development in overcoming the challenges set by issues such as climate change. Education is thought to be key in preparing future generations for facing this issue (Amézaga et al, 2021;Minelgaitė & Liobikienė, 2021;Sekhar & Raina, 2021). However, before educational efforts can be monitored, research should ask whether formal education in schools and classrooms affects students' action competence regarding sustainable development (ACiSD).…”

“…These policy recommendations build onto the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations, 2015), which aim at working towards sustainable development, which was defined as a process of mutually interacting environmental, social, and socio-economic perspectives. Educational efforts at all levels are paramount if we are to promote environmental and sustainable behaviour that would allow to take on the challenges involved (Amézaga et al, 2021;Minelgaitė & Liobikienė, 2021;Sekhar & Raina, 2021). In order to monitor these efforts, measurement of learning outcomes is crucial (Amézaga et al, 2021;UNESCO, 2017).…”

Comportamiento Proambiental: Análisis Bibliométrico 2000-2021 Y Caracterización De Perspectivas

“…Se destaca que los cambios en el comportamiento proambiental, tanto si las personas se vuelven más respetuosas con el medio ambiente como si no, han sido escasamente analizados (Minelgaitė y Liobikienė, 2021). Los crecientes problemas ambientales son ahora una preocupación mundial, en parte debido al comportamiento humano que generalmente no es respetuoso con el medio ambiente, como botar basura, usar vehículos en exceso, derrochar el consumo de recursos, quemar combustibles fósiles, consumir productos no reciclables y productos no orgánicos.…”

The Influence of Values and the Social Environment on the Environmental Attitudes of Students: The Case of Lithuania

“…Values are the basic priorities, interests, beliefs, and attitudes of a society, a group, or an individual that define the principles by which a person should behave [15]. Values influence attitudes toward the environment, perceptions of the consequences of behavior, and acceptance of responsibility, and contribute to environmentally friendly behavior [16]. Jančius [17] observed that values encompass human behavior for the sake of well-being by encouraging reflection on and cultivation of other values and behaviors, and become more effective in building the well-being of oneself and others.…”