Women's Power as the Architect of Sustainability: Analysing the Ethical Values and Pro-Environmental Behaviour of Female College Students in the Context of Women-Led Development

S. Paul Mary; K. A. Sheeba

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.DePaul-2026.1909

Women's Power as the Architect of Sustainability: Analysing the Ethical Values and Pro-Environmental Behaviour of Female College Students in the Context of Women-Led Development

Author(s)	S. Paul Mary, Dr. K. A. Sheeba
Country	India
Abstract	Background: As global climate challenges intensify, the paradigm of "Women-Led Development" has emerged as a critical driver for sustainable and equitable growth. While educational awareness is increasing, a significant "Value-Action Gap" persists among the youth. Objective: This study investigates the intersection of gender identity, internal ethical values, and environmental governance in predicting pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) among college students in Chennai. Methodology: Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 178 female students using a structured 40-item instrument. The survey integrated the Climate Change Perceptual Awareness Scale (CCPAS) (Cipriani et al., 2024), the Integrated Pro-Environmental Behaviours Scale (I-PEBS) (Curcio et al., 2025), and governance indicators adapted from the UN Women Climate Policy Scorecard (2025). Key Results: The analysis reveals that postgraduate students exhibit significantly higher levels of climate awareness and behavioural engagement compared to undergraduates ($p < 0.05$). A very strong positive correlation was identified between internal ethical values and actual PEB ($r =.880$), indicating that moral obligation is the primary driver of sustainable action. Furthermore, perceived fairness in institutional governance significantly influences the transition from awareness to tangible behaviour. Significance: These findings provide actionable insights for higher education institutions (HEIs) to adopt inclusive governance frameworks. By empowering students as ethical leaders, institutions can catalyse the transition toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision.
Keywords	Women-Led Development, Climate Awareness, Environmental Governance, Ethical Values, Pro-Environmental Behaviour (PEB)
Published In	Conference / Special Issue (Volume 8 \| Issue 3) - Two-Day National Conference on “Women Led Development: Pathways to Inclusive, Sustainable, & Equitable Growth” (DePaul-2026) (May 2026)
Published On	2026-05-03
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.DePaul-2026.1909

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Women's Power as the Architect of Sustainability: Analysing the Ethical Values and Pro-Environmental Behaviour of Female College Students in the Context of Women-Led Development

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