Examining barriers and opportunities to sustainable behaviour Linking knowledge and participation amongst young persons in urban environments

No setting more clearly demonstrates human influences than metropolitan areas that live and breathe human diversity, novelty, intensity and choice, but also environmental and social burdens. Technological solutions offer one avenue of support to alleviating many urban environmental stresses. However, sincere sustainability in urban environments can only be achieved if citizens choose to utilize technological improvements and public infrastructure, and participate in patterns of sustainable behaviour. To justify infrastructural and policy investments, urban governments should balance resource management, technological implementation, whilst simultaneously promoting sustainable behaviour amongst urban citizens. This research examines factors influencing citizen participation in environmental behaviour and also context-specific barriers of a case study target group. Specifically, the target group addressed is young persons in Lund and Malmo and their behaviour concerning energy consumption and related environmental impacts. Background research and literature from previous studies is then applied to the case studies in Lund and Malmo. Primary research findings assessed the role of current theoretical knowledge and practical application, as well as other factors influencing young persons? behaviour. An effectiveness evaluation was also undertaken to examine the value and usefulness of the strategy utilized to influence positive behavioural change amongst the target group.