Awareness and Understanding of Climate Change for Environmental Sustainability Using a Mix-Method Approach: A Study in the Kathmandu Valley

Ramesh Shrestha, Rajan Kadel, Shreeya Shakya, Nishna Nyachhyon and Bhupesh Kumar Mishra ()
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Ramesh Shrestha: Avant Garde Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Sankhamul, Kathmandu, Nepal
Rajan Kadel: Melbourne Institute of Technology, 288 La Trobe St., Melbourne 3000, Australia
Shreeya Shakya: Avant Garde Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Sankhamul, Kathmandu, Nepal
Nishna Nyachhyon: Avant Garde Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Sankhamul, Kathmandu, Nepal
Bhupesh Kumar Mishra: Data Science, AI & Modelling Centre (DAIM), University of Hull, Cottingham Rd., Hull HU6 7RX, UK

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: Climate change is a global phenomenon having wide-ranging social, economic, ecological, and environmental sustainability implications. This study assesses climate change awareness, understanding, causes, mitigation measures, and practices among residents of the Kathmandu Valley through a mixed-method approach. Quantitative surveys with 433 respondents and four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) are conducted with diverse demographics. Descriptive statistics is used to summarize quantitative data, and the chi-square (χ 2 ) test is used to measure the associations between awareness, understanding, causes, mitigation measures, and practices among various demographics. The analysis shows that respondents frequently link climate change to extreme weather events, particularly flooding, severe hot and cold waves, and changes in rain precipitation patterns. Furthermore, the respondents identify deforestation, industrialization, and fossil fuels as the primary causes, with mitigation strategies such as afforestation, recycling waste, and use of renewable energies for long-term environmental sustainability. Similarly, the survey analysis also revealed that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are major drivers of climate change; individuals, industries, and governments are held accountable for climate change with industries as key polluters. Furthermore, individuals are self-aware to adopt sustainable practices, and the government can play a vital role through policies promoting renewable energy, afforestation, and waste management, alongside raising awareness. Other highlights of the analysis have been raising voices of collective action at all levels, which is crucial to mitigate the impact of climate change. The study also addresses the gaps in comprehensive climate literacy and underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives to foster informed climate actions within the community. Likewise, the study brings the findings that policymakers should prioritize inclusive engagement strategies, ensuring that climate policies and adaptation programs are accessible, particularly to those who are less represented in environmental discourse, such as older adults and unschooled individuals.

Keywords: climate change; awareness; mitigation; mixed method; environmental sustainability; multistage sampling; climate education; media preferences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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