Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract/Objectives

This study, grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, examined the relationships among road runners’ climate change risk perception, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and low-carbon behavioral intention. Based on 495 valid questionnaires, the results showed that climate change risk perception significantly enhanced attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Among these factors, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had significant positive effects on low-carbon behavioral intention and also showed mediating effects. The study further found partial differences in structural paths across gender and green road-running experience groups. Overall, this research identifies the key factors influencing road runners’ low-carbon behavioral intention and provides practical implications for the planning of green road-running events, sustainability promotion, and policy development.

Results/Contributions

The issue of climate change caused by global warming is becoming increasingly severe, not only exacerbating the frequency of extreme weather events but also posing potential risks to various outdoor activities.Road running, as a sport highly dependent on natural environments, is influenced by changes in climate conditions both in terms of organization and participation. Therefore, this study, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), explores the relationship between road runners' perception of climate change risks and their intention to engage in low-carbon behaviors, and examines whether there are differences in structural pathways among different groups. A questionnaire survey was conducted using a convenience sampling method, with 495 valid responses collected.Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Multigroup Analysis were employed to validate the findings. Research findings: firstly, Significant differences exist between genders in perceived behavioral control and low-carbon behavioral intentions; Secondly, road runners who participate in ecological conservation-type clubs exhibit significant differences in perceived behavioral control compared to those who participate in other types of clubs; Thirdly, perceived climate change risks have a significant positive influence on road runners' attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and low-carbon behavioral intentions; Fourthly,  there is no significant relationship between attitudes and low-carbon behavioral intentions among road runners; fifthly, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control have a significant positive relationship with low-carbon behavioral intentions among road runners; Sixthly, the mediating effect of attitudes between climate change risk perception and low-carbon behavioral intentions is not significant; Seventhly, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control have a significant mediating effect between climate change risk perception and low-carbon behavioral intentions; 8.

There are partial significant differences in the model between gender and groups with experience in green road running events. Research recommendations: road running organizations can design targeted strategies based on participants' reasons for participating to reduce difficulties and barriers to participation.

Keywords

Marathon, Road Running, Low-Carbon Behavior, Climate Change Risk Perception, Sustainable Development Goals