Search Results (3)

Encouraging farmers to adopt pro-environmental practices for the management of rural solid waste is a sustainable solution that can prevent significant harm to rural residents. However, there is limited research focused on the pro-environmental behaviour of rural residents in relation to rural solid waste, and the determinants influencing it. To address this gap, a questionnaire survey was conducted in Guizhou Province, China, and 240 valid responses were collected. A regression equation for the determinants influencing pro-environmental behaviour was developed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26 software, and the model was cross-validated using partial least squares structural equation modelling analysis to ensure the reliability of the results. The data analysis shows that environmental commitment, subjective norms, and attitude are fundamental predictors of pro-environmental behaviour. Additionally, environmental knowledge and perceived ecological benefits are significant determinants of farmers’ environmental commitment, subjective norms, and attitude. This study presents practical and theoretical implications for farmers and local authorities, along with recommendations for improving the current situation of rural solid waste management and enhancing the pro-environmental behaviour of farming households. Full article

The processes of industrialisation and urbanisation have substantially severed our connection with nature, causing detrimental effects on our ecosystems that underline the urgent necessity for sustainability-driven transformations. However, the dedication to sustainable practices depends on various factors and differs among different groups. This study employs the Value–Belief–Norm Theory of Environmentalism to investigate the impact of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), Connectedness to Nature (CNS), agricultural land stewardship, age and gender identity on pro-ecological personal norms. Data collection took place in Malta, an island state characterised by competing pressures over its land use. To encompass diverse group viewpoints, purposive sampling techniques were utilised, engaging environmentalists, hunters, and representatives from the general public. The findings obtained from hierarchical multiple regression analysis highlight a noteworthy positive impact of NEP, CNS, agricultural land stewardship, and age, which collectively explain 40% of the variance in pro-ecological personal norms. The identification of these drivers can provide directions for facilitating the implementation of educational, environmental and legislative policies that can help nurture and foster a sustainable relationship between humans and nature. Full article

Social, environmental, and economic problems related to urban living have surpassed the agenda of policy and decision-makers as well as general public opinion in recent decades. To address urban and environmental issues, it is pivotal to examine how people think, feel, judge, and act with respect to sustainability. While some prominent theories exist and various attempts have been made to propose synthesized models, there are still gaps and discrepancies within the literature of environmental psychological theories. As such, the aim of this paper is to critically review the literature by focusing on a few of the most influential environmental, prosocial, and psychological behaviour theories, which include Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Norm Activation Theory (NAT), Value-Belief-Norm Theory (VBN), and the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP). The Scopus database has been searched systematically for the relevant studies. This paper concludes that an integrative approach to urban sustainability understanding and behaviour is needed. A framework is presented that consists of three layers of clustered components: (1) internal socio-psychological determinants, (2) personality traits, and (3) influencing external factors such as social, cultural, economic, and institutional factors. The model proposed in the study provides opportunities to further develop theoretical approaches and establish new measures of an Urban Sustainability Understanding and Behaviour assessment. Full article