From environmental knowledge to pro-environmental behaviors: paving the way for more sustainable higher education institutions through a mission refocus

Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in transforming societies towards a more sustainable future. Through the creation and dissemination of knowledge, research, education and outreach, HEIs lead the way in advancing sustainable development. This study thus investigates the influence of environmental knowledge on the formation of environmental attitudes and the manifestation of pro-environmental behaviors in relation to the surrounding ecosystem. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was conducted to assess a causal chain from environmental knowledge to pro-environmental behaviors with a representative sample of 3321 respondents from the Polytechnic of Porto (North of Portugal). The findings indicate that environmental knowledge exerts a positive influence on both environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behaviors. Likewise, environmental attitudes positively influence pro-environmental behaviors. We also conclude that besides environmental knowledge has a significant direct effect on pro-environmental behaviors, it is also a key variable whose significant effect is partially mediated by environmental attitudes. This empirical evidence thus suggests that more attention should be given to HEIs, due to their significant potential to educate and equip forthcoming decision-makers within society, fostering a more vigilant stance towards environmental preservation, and calling for a mission reorientation of HEIs.