Insights towards the environmental risk perceptions and built environmental behaviors: Guidelines for environmental governance and regulations

Abstract

The present study explores Saudi Arabian university students’ insights into environmental risk perceptions (ERPs) and built environmental behaviors (BEBs). Based on the findings of previous studies such as Geng et al. (2015), Islam et al. (2019) and Alnaim et al. (2022) and the dire need for further exploration, the researchers developed the conceptual framework and model for confirmation in the context of Saudi Arabia. The researchers applied a quantitative approached and utilized 248 valid samples to infer the results. The findings of the study reveal a positive and significant effect of environmental protection (EP), knowledge of the environment (KoE) and environmental values (EVs) on BEBs. On the other hand, ERPs have a negative and insignificant effect on BEBs. Furthermore, ERPs mediate the relationship between EP, KoE, EVs and BEBs. The study findings would assist policymakers and environmental protection agencies in developing BEBs among all the country’s citizens. Besides, the results of a study would also support individuals in establishing BEBs regarding the recycling of restorative materials by avoiding the use of hazardous materials which is harmful to the environment and the healthy lives of human.