Approach to a causal model between attitudes and environmental behaviour. A graduate case study

This paper offers a study of the environmental attitudes of graduates from the University of Zaragoza and their relationship with pro-environmental behaviour. These attitudes were analysed using a validated Likert scale, along with a questionnaire on environmental behaviours. A set of 20 items in the scale were grouped into four categories: Formation, Outreach activities, Conservation and Intention to act. Also, a set of 12 items were used to evaluate environmental behaviour. Structural equation modelling was used to test a causal model relating attitude to behaviours. The model shows the connection between two of the attitudinal factors – conservation and intention to act – with pro-environmental behaviour. The most relevant to the causal model is that the Conservation factor is the one that has shown the closest relation with Behaviour and this relation is shown through the Intention to act. The study involved 60 graduates that belong to departments that offer either compulsory or optional courses concerning the environment. This study suggests that conservation perspective should be considered in the university studies, both in interdisciplinary education programs and research programs. Moreover, the results obtained in this research work suggest that providing in the University adequate resources and habits in everyday academic life turns to be a very significant aspect for fostering pro-environmental behaviour.

► A causal model connecting attitudes with pro-environmental behaviour is presented. ► The model has been obtained with a graduates sample from the University of Zaragoza. ► Conservation factor is relevant to the analysed behaviours. ► Intention plays a mediating role between the environmental attitude and behaviour.