Carbon Footprint of Novo Ecijano Students: Awareness, Behavioral Intentions, And Practices

Abstract

This study examined the awareness, behavioral intentions, and practices of Novo Ecijano students in relation to carbon footprint reduction. Findings revealed that most students are young adult females from urban, lower-income households who primarily rely on public transportation. While they exhibit moderate participation in environmental activities, formal membership in environmental organizations remains limited, suggesting the need for structured avenues of engagement. Students demonstrated high levels of awareness regarding the concept, causes, and consequences of carbon footprint, primarily shaped by formal education and media exposure. Moreover, they expressed strong behavioral intentions toward eco-friendly practices, particularly in energy conservation, sustainable consumption, and advocacy, with slightly lower commitment observed in transportation-related actions. Actual practices aligned with these intentions, as energy-saving and waste management behaviors were consistently observed, though transportation choices were constrained by infrastructural limitations. The study underscores the importance of institutional support, accessible infrastructure, and experiential learning opportunities to sustain and deepen these environmentally responsible behaviors. Recommendations include the establishment of student-led environmental clubs, integration of experiential sustainability learning into curricula, provision of financial assistance for low-income students, and improvement of sustainable campus infrastructure. These strategies aim to empower students to translate environmental awareness into consistent, impactful action, thereby contributing to a climate-conscious academic community.