Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental awareness, sustainable consumption and social responsibility: Evidence from generations in Brazil and Portugal

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124947

Journal of Cleaner Production

Volume 286, 1 March 2021, 124947

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124947 Get rights and content

Highlights

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Analyze the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on sustainability.
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The survey was conducted with 3236 people in Brazil and Portugal.
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COVID-19 Pandemic influences Environmental Awareness and Social Responsibility.
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COVID-19 Pandemic positively influences Sustainable Consumption.
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Different Generations moderate the influence of COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

The COVID-19 Pandemic has become a major public health concern worldwide, which can impact environmental sustainability and social responsibility, as well as people’s quality of life. In this context, environmental awareness, sustainable consumption and social actions of people have been effectively changed, as a period of quarantine, social isolation and health crisis caused by Pandemic has been experienced. This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on environmental awareness, sustainable consumption and social responsibility, in the perception of Baby Boomers, X and Y generations, residents in Brazil and Portugal. The method used was quantitative research, of a descriptive character, through a survey applied to 3236 people, which was analyzed with the use of Structural Equation Modeling. The results indicate that COVID-19 Pandemic is an important vector in people’s behavioral change, which reflects on environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It is noteworthy that the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic had a greater influence on sustainable consumption, followed by environmental awareness, and to a lesser extent, on social responsibility. There was also greater relevance in Portugal, as well as the perception of the Baby Boomers generation. This study also provides a framework such as metrics to measure a transformational event, which is the COVID-19 Pandemic in socio-environmental aspects and conscious consumption.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic. environmental awareness. sustainable consumption. social responsibility. baby boomers

Generation X and Y

Cited by (0)

Dr. Eliana Andréa Severo holds a Post-doctoral degree from the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Doctor in Business Administration at the Pontificia University Católica of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS) and University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Brazil. She has experience in the area of Business Administration, with emphasis in environmental management, innovation and entrepreneurship. She is currently professor at the University Center FBV (UNIFBV), Department of Professional Master in Business Management.

Dr. Julio Cesar Ferro Guimarães holds a Post-doctoral degree from the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Doctor in Business Administration at the Pontificia University Católica of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS) and University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Brazil. He has experience in the area of Business Administration, emphasis in management of innovation, business competitiveness and Cleaner Production. Professor at Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Post-Graduate Program in Professional Master in Business Administration (MPA/UFPE), Department of Administrative Sciences (DCA/UFPE), Center for Applied Social Sciences (CCSA/UFPE).

Ms. Mateus Luan Dellarmelin is PhD student in Communication Sciences at University of Minho. Master in Administration at IMED Business School. Graduated in Social Communication with specialization in Publicity and Advertising at University of Passo Fundo (UPF). He has experience in the area of Business Administration and Marketing.

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