Environmental attitudes among Serbian university students

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the attitudes of Serbian university students towards environmental issues and risks, as it is crucial to understand these attitudes to shape future environmental policies and promote sustainability initiatives. The survey, which covered socio-demographic, economic, and environmental variables, gathered insights for gaining insights into environmental awareness and important factors promoting pro-environmental behaviour among youth. In total, 165 responses were obtained. A Chi-square test of independence and a logistic regression model was employed for analysis. The survey results show university students perceive inadequate recycling habits (65%) and limited green spaces (73%) in their cities. They consider the environmental risks considerable, possibly leading to migration (66%) and urban depopulation (47%). They advocate for increased awareness campaigns (66.7%) and greater use of renewable energy (64.2%), as well as stricter penalties for environmental violations (61.8%). The analysis revealed a significant relationship between self-assessed environmental awareness and actual environmental behaviour, with students who reported higher awareness being more likely to engage in environmentally friendly actions. Gender and family recycling habits were significant predictors of environmental behaviour, with females and students from the families with recycling practices more likely to exhibit pro-environmental behaviour. These results indicate that the surveyed university students have developed environmental habits and awareness. Supporting youth is central to tackling environmental issues and promoting sustainable behaviour. In addition to educational efforts in Serbia, this requires comprehensive government and civil society initiatives.