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Age differences in pro-environmental behaviors: Is it about me or future generations?
Zhixuan Lin1,2, Helene H Fung3
1Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
European Journal of Ageing
|March 19, 2026
Summary
Older adults engage in more pro-environmental behaviors, driven by concern for future generations, not perceived climate risks. Younger adults match older adults
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Gerontology
- Sociology
Background:
- Climate change and population aging necessitate motivating older adults towards pro-environmental actions.
- Older adults may exhibit lower ecological risk perception but higher social generativity (concern for future generations) compared to younger adults.
- These contrasting factors influence engagement in pro-environmental behaviors differently across age groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in pro-environmental behaviors.
- To examine the interplay between ecological risk perception and social generativity in driving these behaviors.
- To understand the motivations behind pro-environmental actions in older versus younger adults.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 235 older adults (aged 64-93) and 238 younger adults (aged 19-37) in Hong Kong.
- Data collected included measures of ecological risk perception, social generativity, and various pro-environmental behaviors (recycling, political support, consumption).
- Participants also provided reasons for engaging in pro-environmental behaviors.
Main Results:
- No significant age differences were found in ecological risk perceptions.
- Older adults reported higher levels of social generativity and engaged in more recycling, political support, and consumption-related pro-environmental behaviors.
- Younger adults matched older adults' pro-environmental behavior levels only at higher social generativity levels. Older adults cited pro-environmental, habitual, and norm-conforming reasons, while younger adults cited monetary reasons.
Conclusions:
- Older adults' pro-environmental actions are primarily motivated by social generativity, aiming to benefit future generations, rather than by heightened personal risk perception.
- Interventions promoting pro-environmental behaviors can leverage social generativity in older populations.
- Understanding age-specific motivations is crucial for effective environmental engagement strategies.
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