Investigate the impact of social interaction on pro-environmental behavior-evidence from the Chinese general social survey

Abstract Given the critical role of human activities in mitigating environmental degradation and climate change, it is of great significance to identify the determinants of residents’ pro-environmental behavior for sustainable development. Based on Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) data 2021, the paper investigates the influence of social interaction on residents’ pro-environmental behavior in China. Three types of pro-environmental behaviors are analyzed, including environmental payment, garbage recycling behavior, and green purchase behavior. Results show that social interaction with neighbors can encourage low-education level group to pay more money and time for environmental protection. Social interaction with friends makes residents in high-education level group more willing to pay more money and time for environmental protection. Internet usage influences environmental payment behavior the most, while life happiness affects green purchase behavior the most. Garbage recycling behavior is hardly affected by these factors. Moreover, the results show a significant difference between higher and lower education levels, low-income and high-income, party members and non-party members. These findings suggest that differentiated policies should target distinct social groups to enhance pro-environmental behavior.