Measuring “environmental quotient (EvQ)” for individuals: development of a multiple-item scale

Purpose The urgency of achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) necessitates individual behavior change toward environmental sustainability. Given the positive influence of high intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional quotient (EQ) on life choices, this study aims to propose and validate a novel construct – the environmental quotient (EvQ), for individuals. Design/methodology/approach Primary data was collected from 692 respondents on a survey questionnaire comprising of 33 items measuring 5 constructs. Covariance-based structural equation modeling was used to validate the constructs and test the model fit using AMOS. Findings The constructed EvQ scale demonstrated strong internal consistency and convergent validity. Analysis revealed significant positive relationships between EvQ and pro-environmental behavior. Research limitations/implications The study contributes to literature on individual and interpersonal behavior in the context of sustainability and pro-environmental behavior, by developing a theoretically grounded, multi-item, multidimensional scale – the EvQ – for individuals. Practical implications The EvQ can be a significant tool for faculty in educational institutions as well as for managers in organizations, to structure sustainability-related teaching and training curriculum for students and employees, geared toward pro-environmental behavior. Social implications Individuals – be it students, home makers or working professionals – can use this tool to become more self aware about their EvQ and adopt more socially and environmentally responsible behaviors, which would benefit society at large. Originality/value There is no psychometric tool to date that has looked at EvQ in a holistic manner using values, attitudes, subjective norms, knowledge, intention and behavior and drawing on multiple related theories. The study also addresses a significant gap in literature pertaining to an individual quotient (similar to IQ and EQ) in the context of pro-environmental behavior.