Pro-Environmental Behaviour in Russia. A Systematic Review

Abstract

Pro-environmental behavior plays one of the most important roles in reducing global environmental change. This systematic review critically analyzes methodology and synthesizes results of 49 empirical studies of pro-environmental behavior in Russia published between 1999 and 2021. Methodological advantages of the studies include the use of primary data and sample sizes. The shortcomings include a lack of experimental studies, the use of self-reports and descriptive data analyses. Recently, however, the methodological quality of studies has been improving. The most common forms of pro-environmental behavior in Russia are: household waste management and reduction, land clearing and greening, resource conservation and eco-consumption. The determinants of pro-environmental behavior include gender (female), level of education (higher), biospheric values, environmental concern, environmental motivation, personal and descriptive norms. The expansion of evidence base on pro-environmental behavior and its determinants in Russia should be accompanied by a wider use of laboratory and natural experiments, and improvements in data collection and analysis methodology.