2026 Volume 39 Issue 1 Pages 15-25
Addressing environmental challenges such as climate change requires not only technological innovation but also the promotion of everyday pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). This study examines the association between individual PEBs and affiliation with non-state actors, such as neighborhood associations, labor unions, and religious groups. Using online survey data from 2,452 respondents in Japan, we analyze both mitigation and adaptation behaviors. The models control for sociodemographic and psychological variables, such as NEP, reciprocity, postmaterialist values, and preferences related to risk and time. Results show that membership in neighborhood associations and labor unions is positively associated with multiple PEBs. In contrast, no associations were found that were both statistically significant and consistent for affiliations with religious groups, environmental organizations, or other NPOs/NGOs. These findings suggest that non-state actors embedded in local communities or workplaces may play a meaningful role in supporting pro-environmental behavior and offer practical implications for designing policies that encourage individual-level engagement.
