An Analysis of Sustainability Perception and Eco-Conscious Behavior in State-Run University

Sustainability perception serves as a critical internal driver that shapes how individuals value and interact with the natural world. Developing a proactive eco-conscious behavior among the youth is essential for the long-term preservation of ecosystems and the achievement of global climate goals. This study affirmed the significant relationship between sustainability perception and the eco-conscious behavior of students in a state-run university. It focused on the idea of utilizing academic environments as catalysts for the enhancement of environmental advocacy and practical sustainability. This study utilized the descriptive-correlational design, and the data were collected from the undergraduate students of Cebu Technological University – Malabuyoc Campus with a total of 105 respondents using adopted survey questionnaires. It was revealed that most of the respondents were within the age bracket of 20–22 (63.81%), most were female (54.29%), and they were equally distributed across the three colleges of the campus (33.33% each). It revealed that while students reported a very high level of willingness to act and positive attitudes, there were notable gaps in their self-efficacy, particularly in socio-political advocacy. The perceived high level of eco-conscious behavior placed significant value on community education and waste accountability, while dimensions like environmental maintenance and sustainable mobility scored lower due to physical and institutional barriers. Specifically, a significant moderately positive relationship (r = 0.530) was found between these two variables. Overall, it indicated the importance of fostering not just environmental awareness, but also the personal agency and institutional support necessary for students to succeed as sustainable actors. Thus, the study recommends developing green infrastructure to reduce behavioral costs, integrating leadership and advocacy training into the curriculum, and institutionalizing peer-led community outreach programs.