Connecting civic responsibility and individual agency: exploring sustainable development practices among university students in Taiwan

Purpose This study uses a questionnaire survey to investigate the relationships among students’ Perceived Government Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their Sustainable Citizenship Awareness, their Individual Agency and the psychological factors that influence the shift from civic awareness to personal action. Design/methodology/approach Various tools were used in this research: the Sustainable CAB_EES Scale to assess Cognition, Attitude and Behavior toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); the Perceived Government Commitment to SDGs Scale; and the SDG Psychological Characteristics of Sustainable Conation Scale, which evaluates interest, motivation, attitudes and self-efficacy. In addition, the Sustainable Citizenship Awareness Questionnaire was used to assess participants’ awareness, responsibility and leadership in real-life sustainability challenges. Findings The results indicate that Sustainable Citizenship Awareness, Conation, Cognition and Affect significantly influence Sustainable Behavior, accounting for 73% of its variability. Perceived Government Commitment enhances Sustainable Citizenship Awareness, fostering individual responsibility and engagement. Government initiatives shape public awareness, whereas Sustainable Conation connects knowledge and emotional commitment. Affect strongly motivates Sustainable Behavior, and Sustainable Citizenship Awareness mediates the relationship between Government Commitment and Behavior, highlighting the importance of awareness and psychological readiness. Originality/value This study introduces an integrated framework that examines how Sustainable Citizenship Awareness, Conation, Cognition and Affect collectively influence Sustainable Behavior among university students. By highlighting the role of Perceived Government Commitment in shaping individual motivations and engagement, this research provides new insights into the connection between civic awareness and personal action. The framework emphasizes both Individual and Collective Agency in driving Sustainable Behavior, illustrating how psychological engagement and awareness contribute to environmental responsibility. This study has valuable implications for promoting Sustainable Citizenship through education and policy development.