The project examines one of the key determinants influencing an individual’s behaviour towards the environment and climate – climate literacy (CL). A climate-literate person can acquire, understand, and use information about climate change, enabling them to make appropriate decisions, including their own actions. Research has shown that CL is one of the most important determinants of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB). Despite the significant role of CL in PEB, its levels and role in the PEB of young people are largely under-researched in Slovenia and globally, with studies worldwide providing relatively inconsistent results regarding its impact on environmental behaviour.

Our project is driven by several key questions. These questions encompass 1) the level of CL and PEB among young people; 2) a comparison of the effects of CL and other PEB determinants; 3) the effects of CL on PEB, which may potentially differ among groups of young people; and 4) an examination of the content of curricula, syllabi, and teaching materials with regard to CL and PEB among young people.

The project includes the collection of primary survey data and a multidisciplinary analysis using mixed methods: 1) analysis of survey data; 2) pathway modelling of determinants, mediators, and moderators; and 3) content analysis of curricula and teaching materials. In this way, the project offers innovative tools for studying the levels of CL among young people and the impact of CL on PEB. In addition, we are conducting a systematic literature review on climate literacy, climate knowledge and existing secondary survey data on climate literacy.

The study will fill some critical gaps in understanding CL as a determinant of PEB and will examine the levels of CL among young people. We use a combination of mixed research methods. We complement past research with an analysis of target groups of young people in Slovenia. Additionally, we examine determinants, mediators, and moderators within different dimensions of CL, thus filling a research gap in Slovenia and globally. The project results will form the basis for developing strategies and measures to increase PEB worldwide, including through the enhancement of CL. Thus, the project represents a significant scientific contribution on both a national and global scale.