The Impact of Environmental Conservation Courses on University Students’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors

Abstract

This study examines the impact of university environmental conservation courses on students’ pro-environmental behavioral intentions using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze data from 296 valid student responses. Results indicate that participation in environmental courses (ECP) significantly enhances students’ attitudes (AT), subjective norms (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) toward environmental conservation. Additionally, AT, SN, and PBC exhibit significant positive effects on behavioral intention (BI), reinforcing the predictive power of TPB. The findings highlight the role of environmental education in fostering students' environmental responsibility, increasing social support perception, and strengthening confidence in their ability to engage in sustainable practices. By integrating environmental education into university curricula, institutions can cultivate environmentally conscious behaviors and contribute to long-term sustainability goals. This study underscores the necessity of promoting and expanding environmental education to enhance students’ environmental engagement and encourage proactive environmental actions in broader societal contexts.