SCQ-S CODIFIED

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly tasked with fostering pro-environmental agency to address the global climate crisis. Within Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, future nautical sports managers occupy a unique role as stewards of marine ecosystems. This study investigates the sustainability consciousness of 170 undergraduate university students, specifically analyzing the value-action gap in the context of the 2030 Agenda. Utilizing the Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ-S), the present work assessed knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to quantify the dissonance between theoretical understanding and practical implementation. Results indicate a significant knowledge-behavior gap (rB = 0.903), characterized as informed paralysis, where high theoretical mastery fails to translate into sustainable professional routines. Crucially, statistical analysis reveals that the frequency of engagement in nautical activities and nature-based sports does not significantly correlate with a reduction in this dissonance, refuting the hypothesis that physical exposure alone fosters stewardship. It is concluded that current curricula prioritize technical performance over socio-ecological agency. To bridge this gap, HEIs must transition from content-based instruction to transformative pedagogical models that embed ethical friction and critical reflection into practical training, ensuring that future sports professionals are equipped to lead the ecological transition in active tourism and aquatic sports.