Pro-environmental attitude and behaviours: an investigation on the role of pro-sociality

Caterina Giannetti, Pietro Guarnieri and Tommaso Luzzati ()

Discussion Papers from Dipartimento di Economia e Management (DEM), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Abstract: The multifaceted nature of contemporary environmental degradation requires an all-round policy approach, that cannot disregard the role of people's behaviour. To study how to promote environmentally friendly actions, this paper investigates whether pro-sociality triggers pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs). To this aim, we consider not only the direct effect that pro-sociality might have on PEBs but also the indirect effect transmitted through environmental concerns. After outlining a theoretical framework based on the literature on PEBs, we use a Eurobarometer survey to conduct a causal mediation analysis. Our results show that pro social attitudes are actually important, having also a strong indirect effect on PEBs. Furthermore, they suggest that policies promoting pro-social attitudes may be more effective than those simply promoting pro environmental attitudes.

Keywords: IV-mediation analysis; environmental citizenship; PEBs; EU citizens (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C36 Q57 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-02-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-env, nep-reg and nep-soc
Note: ISSN 2039-1854
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pie:dsedps:2021/269

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