Greening through economics: Does environmental economics enhance pro-environmental behaviour
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Date
2025
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Published by the West University of Timisoara, Romania
Abstract
Environmental economics, a subfield of economics, is
one of the frameworks developed for understanding and
addressing environmental issues. However, the extent to
which exposure to such coursework influences students’
real-world environmental behaviour remains
underexplored. This study, therefore, sought to assess
whether taking an environmental economics translates
into tangible pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs)
among students, using Kwara State University as a case
study. Drawing on Knowledge-Attitude-Behaviour Theory
and using a survey-based approach, data were collected
from students of economics within the university. A
stratified random sample of 202 students of economics
was selected—93 in parts 3 and 4 (who had taken
environmental economics) and 109 in parts 1and 2 (who
had not taken environmental economics). Data were
collected through a structured questionnaire and
analyzed using descriptive statistics, Ordinary Least
Squares regression model, and multivariate logit model.
The findings reveal that taking environmental economics
significantly influenced PEBs and that students exposed
to environmental economics engaged more in energy
conservation, proper waste disposal, reusing and
environmental advocacy than other PEBs. The study also
found that socioeconomic factors had a moderating
effect on the relationship. The study underscores the
importance of integrating environmental economics into
economics curricula to promote sustainability. It also
highlights the need for institutional support, such as
improved access to recycling facilities and campus-wide
environmental campaigns, to enhance PEBs.