FOSTERING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: A STUDY OF EDUCATORS’ ROLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Abstract

With an emphasis on the mediating function of environmental attitudes, this study examines the relationship among educators' involvement in environmental education, emotional intelligence, and environmental attitudes. The study tested a conceptual model based on socio-emotional and environmental behavior theories using regression analysis on a sample of 328 higher education teachers in Kerala. The findings showed that environmental attitudes and participation in environmental education are significantly predicted by emotional intelligence. Furthermore, the relationship between emotional intelligence and engagement was found to be partially mediated by environmental attitudes, suggesting that emotionally intelligent educators are more likely to participate in environmental education because of their more robust pro-environmental views. These results highlight how crucial it is to incorporate environmental values and emotional intelligence into teacher preparation programs in order to advance more successful sustainability education. The study offers useful insights for promoting environmentally conscious teaching methods and adds to the expanding conversation on the affective and attitudinal underpinnings of education for sustainable development.