Factors and paths influencing students’ low-carbon behavior

The study of low-carbon behavior is significant for coping with climate change, resource conservation, environmental protection, sustainable development, and social behavior. Many factors affect low-carbon behaviors. Through investigation and analysis, the five factors of educational measures, low-carbon knowledge, economic measures, low-carbon awareness, and herd mentality were found to significantly influence low-carbon behavior. College students were selected as the research subjects using structural equation modelling methods. This work aims to study the impact of these five factors on low-carbon behavior. The results show that (1) low-carbon awareness has the most direct and significant effect on low-carbon behavior; (2) economic measures and low-carbon knowledge have a direct positive impact on low-carbon behavior; and (3) educational measures and herd mentality show only indirect effects. The theoretical model framework proposed in this study provides a reference for research on the low-carbon behaviors of other groups. In addition, some suggestions are proposed to promote the low-carbon behavior of college students: (1) establish a good low-carbon campus culture; (2) formulate reasonable low-carbon economic incentive measures; and (3) strengthen the publicity and popularization of low-carbon education and knowledge.