Environmental Behaviours and Attitudes of University Teachers in Pakistan

The current study has investigated the environmental practices (a complex of behaviours and attitudes) of the university teachers in Pakistan. To achieve the study purpose, a questionnaire was developed in light of the literature on environmental education, consumption behaviours and attitude towards the environment. The researcher developed a 52- item Likert scale in the light of the literature on pro-environmental teaching behaviours, conservation and consumption behaviours, and attitude towards the environment (Item 39-48). The instrument had four sections: Section A) Practices related to the Use of Materials in Teaching (Item 1-14); Section B) Conservation Practices (Item 15-29); Section C) Consumption Practices (Item 30-38), and Section D) Relationship with the Environment (Item 39-48). The questionnaire was pilot tested two times to find its reliability. The final questionnaire had 48 items. The data came from 78 private sector university teachers and 53 public sector university teachers. The data were analyzed in terms of descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The results indicated that the public sector university teachers have a relatively stronger relationship with the environment as compared to the private sector university teachers. The results further indicated that female university teachers undertake more pro-environmental practices as compared to their male colleagues. In addition, the results indicate that the environmental practices of the university teachers are not influenced by their age or academic disciplines.