Assessing Students' Awareness, Attitudes, and Actions Towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The integration of sustainability into students' university life is crucial for fostering responsible environmental practices, cultivating sustainable mindsets, and equipping students to actively contribute to a more sustainable and equitable society. To achieve this integration, a crucial initial step is to develop students' pro-environmental awareness and behaviours on campus. This study investigates students' awareness, attitudes, and actions towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assessing the factors influencing their awareness levels and self-reported sustainability-related behaviour. A survey was conducted among the college of engineering students at the Applied Science University, an institution known for its early implementation of green campus development initiatives in Bahrain. The results reveal that respondents demonstrated a proper understanding of sustainability and expressed concerns about energy and water conservation as well as wasteful consumption. The majority supported the implementation of sustainability on campus and the establishment of additional initiatives, although fewer indicated their participation in previous sustainability-related events. While there appears to be little or no “knowledge gap” regarding campus sustainability, a “commitment gap” is evident. Possible reasons for this gap are discussed. Attitudes and behaviours related to sustainability were more prevalent than awareness of the 17 UN SDGs, with respondents primarily engaged in campus sustainability initiatives rather than community or individual efforts. Future initiatives should focus on nurturing students' “willingness to participate,” fostering social norms, and promoting group influences to drive individual sustainability-related behaviours. These findings provide valuable insights into students' engagement in sustainable practices offering a foundation for future improvements and enhancements.