RESEARCH ARTICLE
The Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire: The theoretical development and empirical validation of an evaluation instrument for stakeholders working with sustainable development
Niklas Gericke,
Jelle Boeve-de Pauw,
Teresa Berglund,
Daniel Olsson,
Corresponding Author
Niklas Gericke
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
Correspondence
Niklas Gericke, Professor in Science Education, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJelle Boeve-de Pauw
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
University of Antwerp, Research Unit Edubron, Faculty of Social Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorTeresa Berglund
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorDaniel Olsson
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorNiklas Gericke,
Jelle Boeve-de Pauw,
Teresa Berglund,
Daniel Olsson,
Corresponding Author
Niklas Gericke
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
Correspondence
Niklas Gericke, Professor in Science Education, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorJelle Boeve-de Pauw
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
University of Antwerp, Research Unit Edubron, Faculty of Social Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorTeresa Berglund
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorDaniel Olsson
Karlstad University, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
In this paper, the concept of sustainability consciousness, an individual's experience and awareness of sustainable development, is introduced. Based on UNESCO's definition of sustainable development, a sustainability consciousness questionnaire (SCQ) is theoretically and empirically developed. Using the data of 638 respondents from Sweden aged 18–19 years old, the scale is developed in two versions. The long version (SCQ-L) can be used to measure individuals' environmental, social and economic knowingness, attitudes and behaviour (nine valid and reliable subscales), in addition to the second order constructs of sustainability knowingness, sustainability attitudes and sustainability behaviour, as well as the third order construct, sustainability consciousness. For the short version (SCQ-S) 27 items were identified that can be used to measure the second and third order constructs. Both versions of the scale present excellent psychometric quality. Possible applications of the questionnaire instruments in the context of evaluation of sustainability policies, practices and stakeholder engagement are discussed.
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