Predicting Energy-Saving Behaviour Based on Environmental Values: An Analysis of School Children’s Perspectives

Wan Nur Hafizah Wan Hussain, Lilia Halim, Mee Yeang Chan and Norshariani Abd Rahman
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Wan Nur Hafizah Wan Hussain: Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Lilia Halim: Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Mee Yeang Chan: Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia
Norshariani Abd Rahman: Institute of Islam Hadhari, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi 43600, Malaysia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Energy-saving behaviours are pro-environment behaviours that help mitigate climate change. Environmental values namely biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic one are related to one’s pro-environmental behaviour. Thus, this research examines the contribution of environmental values to the practice of energy-saving behaviour. This research employed the survey design, in which a questionnaire was administered on 341 children (aged 11 years old) in Malaysia. The data were analysed using descriptive and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that children possess all of the environmental values (biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic) and that energy-saving behaviour is found to be occasionally and often practiced in their daily lives. The students’ altruistic values contribute significantly to their energy-saving behaviour pattern compared to biospheric and egoistic values. It is argued that the children’s personal experiences with climate adversity and socioeconomic background underlie these findings. An implication of this study is that the school curriculum should allow for discourse on the connection between environmental values and pro-environmental behaviour. Relating the cause and impact of one’s action in everyday life on the environment should be inculcated across the curriculum, more importantly at the primary level.

Keywords: energy-saving behaviour; environmental values; environmental education; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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