Why do young people do things for the environment? The effect of perceived values on pro-environmental behaviour

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to develop an integrative model that comprehensively explores the antecedents of pro-environmental intentions in young people. The study follows customer value theory (CVT) and the theoretical framework of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Design/methodology/approach Data was obtained from a field survey of two secondary schools in Hong Kong. A total of 279 young people (age range: 10–12 years old; 53.8% males) were recruited to complete the survey. Smart-PLS 3 was used to test the research model with partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings The findings provided empirical evidence that the perceived values of children regarding environmentalism play an essential role in developing pro-environmental attitudes and behavioural intentions, such as recycling intention and conservation intention. The results support the utility of TPB for its adoption of attitude and behavioural intention as key components of the model. The use of CVT showed that three dimensions of young people’s perceived values, namely, emotional value, functional value and relational value, predict a pro-environmental attitude, while attitude predicts recycling intention and conservation intention. Practical implications This study offers crucial insight for schools and the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region government, who are focussed on spurring the perceived values, attitudes and behavioural intentions of young people towards environmentalism. This study shows that young people’s emotional values, functional values and relational values are important for transforming pro-environmental attitudes into behavioural intentions in young people. Originality/value This study measured the impact of young people’s perceived values on pro-environmental intentions. Few studies address how perceived values affect young people’s pro-environmental behaviour. This study integrates CVT and TPB to explore the source of young people’s pro-environmental intentions.