Safwan Ghanem

Faculty of Economics and Management,

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague,

Prague, Czech Republic

safwanghanem@gmail.com

ORCID 0000-0002-9748-1503

The role of personal values in predicting energy-saving behaviors for climate mitigation

Inna Cabelkova

Faculty of Economics and Management,

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague,

Prague, Czech Republic

cabelkova@pef.czu.cz

ORCID 0000-0002-8302-1004

Lubos Smutka

Faculty of Economics,

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice,

České Budějovice, Czech Republic

lsmutka@ef.jcu.cz

ORCID 0000-0001-5385-1333

Ghaeth Fandi

Faculty of Economics and Management,

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague,

Prague, Czech Republic

fandigha@fel.cvut.cz

ORCID 0000-0002-5488-6965

Vladimír Krepl

Faculty of Economics and Management,

Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague,

Prague, Czech Republic

krepl@ftz.czu.cz

ORCID 0000-0001-7490-422X

Abstract. Addressing climate change requires widespread individual action, particularly in reducing energy consumption. This study examines how personal values influence energy-saving behaviors by using the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) to assess motivational goals that shape climate-related attitudes and actions. Analyzing responses from a diverse sample, the study evaluates participants’ perceived responsibility, concern about climate change, and beliefs in collective and governmental efforts to reduce energy use. The results indicate that emotional attachment to Europe, a sense of personal responsibility, and higher levels of climate concern significantly impact engagement in energy-saving behaviors. Conversely, individuals who prioritize tradition and customs or who believe that governments will take sufficient action are less likely to adopt proactive measures. These findings highlight the role of value-driven motivations in shaping sustainable behaviors, emphasizing the need for tailored policy interventions aligned with individuals’ core values to promote energy conservation. 

Received: January, 2025

1st Revision: October, 2025

Accepted: December, 2025

DOI: 10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-4/14

JEL Classification: Q54, Q41, Q48, D64, D91

Keywords: climate change, energy-saving behaviors, personal values, pro-environmental behavior, policy interventions