Paramita Bhattacharyya and Sudipta Adhikary
Abstract
The present study provides an assessment of environmental consciousness, awareness of pollution and green behavior of students (220) and faculty members (45) of a college of private university in West Bengal, India. The research is based on a structured survey, using a 5-point Likert scale to evaluate three key factors: Knowledge of Environmental Issues, Pro-Environmental Behavior and Campus Sustainability Support. Using independent samples t-tests and descriptive statistics, the results show both groups have high levels of environmental knowledge, but also that, according to the t-test, the difference in pro environmental behaviors between the faculty and student groups is significant (t (263) = 4.31, p<.001, Cohenâs d = 0.72). In addition, academic discipline had an effect on awareness levels, with STEM streams having higher levels of awareness than non- STEM streams (F (4, 215) = 5.12, p = .001). The study highlights the need for institutional policy actions to close the sustainability knowledge-action gap.