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Development and Validation of Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale for Boosting Sustainable Circular Economy

Author

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  • Sema Üstgörül

    (Faculty of Health Science, Manisa Celal Bayar University, 45040 Manisa, Turkey)

  • Bülent Akkaya

    (Department of Office Management, Ahmetli VHS, Manisa Celal Bayar University, 45040 Manisa, Turkey)

  • Maria Palazzo

    (Faculty of Law and Economics, Universitas Mercatorum, 00186 Rome, Italy)

  • Alessandra Micozzi

    (Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, Universitas Mercatorum, 00186 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

This study aims to create and validate the Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale, which is designed to measure individuals’ awareness of their environmental impact through greenhouse gas emissions and represented as carbon dioxide equivalents. The scale consists of 19 items on a 5-point Likert scale, which are organized around five key areas: transportation (3 items), fuel consumption (3 items), electricity use (5 items), food consumption (5 items), and waste management (3 items). Expert evaluations and a pilot study confirmed the content validity of the scale. A sample of 553 Gen Z participants was analyzed using reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with AMOS and SPSS to establish the scale’s construct validity and reliability. The results show a solid factor structure with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.86) and an explained variance of 56.09%. A second sample ( n = 612) was used to confirm the findings, further supporting the scale’s psychometric robustness and effectiveness in evaluating carbon footprint awareness in individuals aged 18 and over. This innovative tool not only supports rigorous scientific inquiry into individual carbon footprints but also empowers individuals to play an active role in global efforts to mitigate climate change. By fostering awareness, informing decision making, and promoting sustainable behaviors, the Individual Carbon Footprint Scale contributes to building resilience and sustainability in communities worldwide, ensuring a healthier planet for present and future generations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sema Üstgörül & Bülent Akkaya & Maria Palazzo & Alessandra Micozzi, 2024. "Development and Validation of Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale for Boosting Sustainable Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:18:p:8199-:d:1481883
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chen, Shaoqing & Long, Huihui & Chen, Bin & Feng, Kuishuang & Hubacek, Klaus, 2020. "Urban carbon footprints across scale: Important considerations for choosing system boundaries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
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    3. Schleich, Joachim & Dütschke, Elisabeth & Kanberger, Elke & Ziegler, Andreas, 2024. "On the relationship between individual carbon literacy and carbon footprint components," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
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