Environmental Education and Sustainable Development: Assessing Its Impact on Environmental Management Practices
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined how environmental education influences environmental management practices among households living adjacent Mbololo Forest in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. It sought to determine whether environmental education improves awareness, encourages positive attitudes toward conservation, and promotes the adoption of sustainable forest management practices.
Approach: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among households residing adjacent Mbololo Forest. The target population consisted of 4,138 households, from whom a sample of 365 respondents were selected using Yamane’s formula. Data were collected using structured questionnaires. A total of 353 completed questionnaires were returned and analyzed, resulting in a response rate of 96.7%. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to examine the relationship between environmental education and environmental management practices.
Findings: The results showed that 69.4% of respondents had participated in environmental education programs, which helped increase environmental awareness and improve attitudes toward sustainability. Regression analysis indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between environmental education and environmental management practices (β = 0.52, p < 0.05). Environmental education explained about 45% of the variation in sustainable practices. Households exposed to environmental education were more likely to practice proper waste management, participate in community conservation activities, and use forest resources more responsibly.
Originality/value: The study provides empirical evidence from a rural forest-adjacent community in Kenya, showing that environmental education can play an important role in promoting sustainable environmental management.
References
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Kiage, O. E. (2019). The Ogiek peoples’ indigenous knowledge: A pathway towards sustainable natural resource management in the Mau Forest, Kenya. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(1).
Lestari, A., Wahyuni, I., & Fua, J. (2024). Green environmental management practices in schools in the implementation of the Deming cycle: A narrative inquiry approach. Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan, 22(2), 347–354. https://doi.org/10.14710/jil.22.2.347-354
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Malwa, D. (2024). Relationship between environmental education programs and pro-environmental behaviors among youth in Kenya. American Journal of Environment Studies, 7(1), 43–56.
Mensah, I. (2015). Environmental education and environmentally responsible behavior: The case of international tourists in Accra hotels. International Journal of Tourism Sciences, 12(3), 69–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/15980634.2012.11434664
Nasution, S., Sembiring, W., Dalimunthe, F., Sumarno, E., Saragih, M., & Moulita. (2025). Environmental education as a means of sustainable and responsible tourism development. Sosioedukasi: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan dan Sosial, 14, 1153–1164. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i3.5723
Negm, E. (2024). Recognizing the impact of value-belief-norm theory on pro-environmental behaviors of higher education students: Considering aspects for social-marketing applications. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 25(2), 289–305. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2023-0135
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Rapi, M. Z. H., & Kassim, S. (2023). Perception and intention to participate in microtakaful scheme among Indonesians: An application of Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 9(1), 133–166.
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Wang, J., Dai, J., Gao, W., Yao, X., Dewancker, B. J., Gao, J., Wang, Y., & Zeng, J. (2024). Achieving sustainable tourism: Analysis of the impact of environmental education on tourists’ responsible behavior. Sustainability, 16(2), 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020552
Yu, Y., Chen, L., Qiu, H., Xiao, X., & Li, M. (2024). Can tourists be educated? The effect of tourist environmental education on environmentally responsible behavior. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 29(1), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2024.2316602
Yuan, L. (2026). Environmental regulation at the crossroads: A review of catalysts and barriers in circular economy transitions. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70588
Zulkepeli, L., Fauzi, M. A., Mohd Suki, N., Ahmad, M. H., Wider, W., & Rahamaddulla, S. R. (2024). Pro-environmental behavior and the theory of planned behavior: A state-of-the-art science mapping. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 35(6). https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2023-0361
Amoah, A., & Addoah, T. (2021). Does environmental knowledge drive pro-environmental behaviour in developing countries? Evidence from households in Ghana. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23, 2719–2738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-00698-x
Ardoin, N. M., Bowers, A. W., & Gaillard, E. (2020). Environmental education outcomes for conservation: A systematic review. Biological Conservation, 241, 108224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108224
Ardoin, N. M., Bowers, A. W., & Wheaton, M. (2023). Leveraging collective action and environmental literacy to address complex sustainability challenges. Ambio, 52, 30–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01764-6
Awewomom, J., Dzeble, F., Takyi, Y. D., Ashie, W. B., Ettey, E. N. Y. O., Afua, P. E., Sackey, L. N. A., Opoku, F., & Akoto, O. (2024). Addressing global environmental pollution using environmental control techniques: A focus on environmental policy and preventive environmental management. Discover Environment, 2, 8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00033-5
Baloch, Q. B., et al. (2023). Impact of tourism development upon environmental sustainability: A suggested framework for sustainable ecotourism. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30, 5917–5930. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22496-w
Bartels, K. P. R. (2023). Experiential learning: A relational approach to sustaining community-led social innovation. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research, 36(3), 434–452. https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2022.2121268
Batool, N., Wani, M. D., Shah, S. A., & Dada, Z. A. (2024). Theory of planned behavior and value-belief norm theory as antecedents of pro-environmental behaviour: Evidence from the local community. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 34(5), 693–709. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2023.2205912
Buabeng, I., & Amo-Darko, B. (2025). Curriculum reforms without foundation: The effects of inadequate preparation in curriculum reforms on Ghanaian teachers and the education system. Curriculum Perspectives, 45, 133–147.
Cebrián, G., Junyent, M., & Mulà, I. (2020). Competencies in education for sustainable development: Emerging teaching and research developments. Sustainability, 12(2), 579. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12020579
Chavula, P., Umer, Y., Abdi, E., Uwimbabazi, A., Habowa, C., Mensah, G. B., Ntezimana, G. M., Amanzi, L., Lungu, G., & Kayusi, F. (2024). Bridging environmental education and sustainable development: An integrated approach for a greener future. Asian Basic and Applied Research Journal, 6(1), 161–171.
Chisika, S., & Yeom, C. (2024). Optimizing environmental education and awareness strategies for sustainable forest management in Kenya: Lessons from Cherangany, Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, and Kakamega forest ecosystems. Visions for Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.13135/2384-8677/8830
County Government of Taita Taveta. (2023). Taita Taveta county annual development plan 2024/2025. County Government of Taita Taveta.
Dong, Z., Zhang, Y., Mao, Y., Jiao, L., Huo, X., & Wu, L. (2026). Harnessing machine learning to explore influencing mechanism in the dual pro-environmental intention–behavior gap. Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42468-1
Estrada Araoz, E. G., Gallegos Ramos, N. A., & Valverde, Y. P. (2023). Examining the relationship between environmental education and pro-environmental behavior in regular basic education students: A cross-sectional study. Social Sciences, 12(5), 307. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12050307
Fauzi, M. A., Hanafiah, M. H., & Kunjuraman, V. (2024). Tourists’ intention to visit green hotels: Building on the theory of planned behaviour and the value-belief-norm theory. Journal of Tourism Futures, 10(2), 255–276. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-01-2022-0008
Gupta, M. S., Samrutwar, A. M., Rahandale, A. M., & Edlabadkar, A. A. (2024). The influence of environmental education on college students’ behavioural attitudes towards sustainability. Journal of Learning and Educational Policy, 4(6), 48–58. https://doi.org/10.55529/jlep.46.48.58
Harahap, D., & Uthman, Y. O. O.-O. (2024). Bridging the gap: Environmental education as a catalyst for human-environmental harmony. Assyfa Learning Journal, 2(1), 19–39. https://doi.org/10.61650/alj.v2i1.186
Islam, M. Z., & Wang, S. (2023). Environmental sustainability: A major component of sustainable development. International Journal of Environmental, Sustainability, and Social Science, 4(3).
Khalid, Z., Zhao, L., Elahi, E., & Chang, X. (2026). The impact of green management on green innovation in sustainable technology: Moderating roles of executive environmental awareness, regulations, and ownership. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-024-05393-9
Kiage, O. E. (2019). The Ogiek peoples’ indigenous knowledge: A pathway towards sustainable natural resource management in the Mau Forest, Kenya. African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure, 8(1).
Lestari, A., Wahyuni, I., & Fua, J. (2024). Green environmental management practices in schools in the implementation of the Deming cycle: A narrative inquiry approach. Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan, 22(2), 347–354. https://doi.org/10.14710/jil.22.2.347-354
Liu, J., Yuan, L., Li, M., Li, S.-J., Sun, Y., & Yuan, J. (2024). Ecological experiential learning and tourists’ pro-environmental behavior intentions: The mediating roles of awe and nature connection. Heliyon, 10(1), e23410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23410
Malwa, D. (2024). Relationship between environmental education programs and pro-environmental behaviors among youth in Kenya. American Journal of Environment Studies, 7(1), 43–56.
Mensah, I. (2015). Environmental education and environmentally responsible behavior: The case of international tourists in Accra hotels. International Journal of Tourism Sciences, 12(3), 69–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/15980634.2012.11434664
Nasution, S., Sembiring, W., Dalimunthe, F., Sumarno, E., Saragih, M., & Moulita. (2025). Environmental education as a means of sustainable and responsible tourism development. Sosioedukasi: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan dan Sosial, 14, 1153–1164. https://doi.org/10.36526/sosioedukasi.v14i3.5723
Negm, E. (2024). Recognizing the impact of value-belief-norm theory on pro-environmental behaviors of higher education students: Considering aspects for social-marketing applications. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 25(2), 289–305. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-04-2023-0135
Odell, V., Molthan-Hill, P., Martin, S., & Sterling, S. (2020). Transformative education to address all sustainable development goals. In W. Leal Filho et al. (Eds.), Quality education: Encyclopedia of the UN sustainable development goals. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95870-5_106
Otto, S., & Pensini, P. (2017). Nature-based environmental education of children: Environmental knowledge and connectedness to nature, together, are related to ecological behaviour. Global Environmental Change, 47, 88–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2017.09.009
Rapi, M. Z. H., & Kassim, S. (2023). Perception and intention to participate in microtakaful scheme among Indonesians: An application of Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 9(1), 133–166.
Ronalter, L. M., Bernardo, M., & Romaní, J. M. (2023). Quality and environmental management systems as business tools to enhance ESG performance: A cross-regional empirical study. Environmental Development and Sustainability, 25, 9067–9109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02425-0
Saro, J. M., Taray, J. D., Cinso, J. S., Ingaling, B. S., Enguio, M. J. A., & Hayon, C. P. B. (2025). Level of attitude, behavior, and awareness of senior high school students toward environmental conservation. JPBI (Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia), 11(1), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpbi.v11i1.37861
Simiyu, G., Kariuki, V., Ombaba, M., & Otuya, R. (2022). Does environmental knowledge matter? Social influence and pro-environmental behavior in university students: An indirect effect model. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 5(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.33215/sjom.v5i1.724
Stevenson, R. B., Brody, M., Dillon, J., & Wals, A. (2012). International handbook of research on environmental education. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203813331
Taita Taveta County Government. (2024). Second-generation county integrated development plan (CIDP-II) 2018–2022. https://www.taitataveta.go.ke/uploads/2024/05/CIDP-II.pdf
Velempini, K. (2025). Assessing the role of environmental education practices towards the attainment of the 2030 sustainable development goals. Sustainability, 17(5), 2043. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052043
Wang, J., Dai, J., Gao, W., Yao, X., Dewancker, B. J., Gao, J., Wang, Y., & Zeng, J. (2024). Achieving sustainable tourism: Analysis of the impact of environmental education on tourists’ responsible behavior. Sustainability, 16(2), 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020552
Yu, Y., Chen, L., Qiu, H., Xiao, X., & Li, M. (2024). Can tourists be educated? The effect of tourist environmental education on environmentally responsible behavior. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 29(1), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2024.2316602
Yuan, L. (2026). Environmental regulation at the crossroads: A review of catalysts and barriers in circular economy transitions. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70588
Zulkepeli, L., Fauzi, M. A., Mohd Suki, N., Ahmad, M. H., Wider, W., & Rahamaddulla, S. R. (2024). Pro-environmental behavior and the theory of planned behavior: A state-of-the-art science mapping. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 35(6). https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2023-0361
Published
2026-05-29
How to Cite
MWAMBEO, Humphrey M. et al.
Environmental Education and Sustainable Development: Assessing Its Impact on Environmental Management Practices.
Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, [S.l.], v. 17, n. 2, p. 75 - 89, may 2026.
ISSN 2068-7729.
Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jemt/article/view/9474>. Date accessed: 03 june 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v17.2(82).01.
Section
Article
Copyright© 2025 The Author(s). Published by ASERS Publishing 2025. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of CC-BY 4.0 license.