Climate change and pro-environmental behaviours: the significant environmental challenges of livelihoods

Abstract

Purpose

The study investigates the intention to adopt climate change and the pro-environmental behaviours among the residents of a developing country (Pakistan) through the theory of planned behaviour (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative designed study and uses a questionnaire to collect cross-sectional data. The authors distributed about 1,600 questionnaires, of which 980 were returned; this represented a 61% response rate.

Findings

From applying the PLS-SEM 3.0 technique, the findings highlight the positive and significant impact of attitudes towards climate change (ATCC) and subjective norms (SN) on the intention to adopt climate change (ITCC). On the other hand, perceived behavioural control (PBC) has an insignificant effect on ITCC. Moreover, the ITCC is a significant predictor of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB). Finally, ITCC has a positive effect in mediating the relationship between TPB constructs (ATCC, SN and PBC) and PEB.

Practical implications

This study's findings assist policymakers in designing policies and better plans to enrich the individuals' vision and attitudes towards creating a conducive and healthy environment. Further, this study's findings encourage the promotion of widespread intentions to overcome the environmental challenges of climate change.

Originality/value

In the context of Pakistan, this study's findings offer empirical confirmation of TPB, climate change and PEB.

Citation

Abdelwahed, N.A.A., Soomro, B.A. and Shah, N. (2022), "Climate change and pro-environmental behaviours: the significant environmental challenges of livelihoods", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 1187-1206. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2021-0236