Determinants of pro-environmental behaviour of urban youth in Ghana

Daily individual activities and behaviours as well as collective actions of society have the potential to address environmental challenges or worsen them. Promoting behavioural solutions to environmental problems requires an understanding of the underpinning factors that determine engagement in environmentally friendly behaviour. This study examined the determinants of pro-environmental behaviour(PEB) of youth in urban areas in Ghana inundated with diverse values, beliefs, norms and unique situational factors. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design with data collected from 233 urban youth in Ghana through an online survey. Covariance-base structural equation modelling technique was employed in the analysis with the aid of AMOS graphics to test hypothesised effects of values, norms, beliefs and situational factors on engagement in PEB. The findings revealed a causal positive link from biospheric values (β = 0.176, p < 0.05) and egoistic values (β = 0.185, p < 0.01) to individuals’ new environmental paradigm (NEP) and from NEP to awareness of consequences (β = 0.517, p < 0.01) to ascription of responsibilities (β = 0.298, p < 0.01) and to norms (β = 0.242, p < 0.01) which significantly influence PEB (β = 0.242, p < 0.01). Personal constraints indicated by lifestyle and livelihood objectives were found to negatively affect the VBN theory explanation of PEB. The findings of this study reveal the need for educational programmes and awareness creation to instil environmentally friendly values, beliefs and norms in youth to incentivise the adoption of PEB as behavioural solutions to environmental problems.