Objective knowledge drives pro-environmental behavior for eco-friendly communities

Abstract

In this study, we define the choice of recharging mobile credit with an environmentally friendly platform such as mobile money as a novel pro-environmental behavior. Using a survey approach, we collect household-level data from eco-friendly communities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, and empirically model and test the nexus between this novel pro-environmental behavior and objective knowledge. The study finds that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between international environmental objective knowledge and pro-environmental behavior. In contrast, there is no such evidence for households with local environmental objective knowledge. Toward achieving sustainable environmental development, this study draws inferences to serve as a wake-up call for institutions that are responsible for disseminating local environmental knowledge regarding the effects and consequences of poor environmental behavior.