The Mediating Role of Environmental Knowledge on Energy Conserving Behaviour

Abstract

The rapid increase in energy consumption and the limited availability of resources in developing countries highlight the pressing need for energy conservation strategies. Despite this, there is limited research on what drives energy-conserving behaviours among university students. This study examines the mediating role of environmental knowledge in fostering energy conservation behaviours among Malaysian university students. A sample of 400 students, selected randomly from various faculties, was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to evaluate the relationships between attitude, environmental knowledge, and energy conservation behaviours. The findings revealed that environmental knowledge not only had a significant direct effect on energy conservation behaviour but also fully mediated the relationship between attitude and behaviour. Model fit indices (RMSEA = 0.072, CFI = 0.953, TLI = 0.943, ChiSq/df = 2.585) indicated a good fit to the data, supporting the hypothesized relationships. These results highlight the importance of integrating environmental knowledge into university curricula to cultivate sustainable practices among students. Future research should investigate these dynamics across different contexts to develop effective interventions for promoting energy conservation.