Assessing the influence of pro-environmental behaviour, green self-efficacy and green trust on community participation in Klang River cleaning initiatives
Abstract
The Klang River is one of the most polluted urban rivers in Malaysia, largely due to mismanaged solid waste, low public awareness and limited community engagement in non-structural river rehabilitation initiatives. This study examines the influence of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), green self-efficacy (GSE) and green trust (GT) on the intention to participate in river cleaning activities among small boat operators who depend directly on the river for their livelihoods. Guided by Self-Determination Theory and Self-Perception Theory, a quantitative survey was conducted involving 267 respondents and the data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that PEB and GSE significantly and positively influence participation intention, indicating that individuals who possess strong environmental values and a high sense of personal capability are more likely to engage in river-cleaning initiatives. In contrast, GT demonstrates a weaker and less consistent effect, suggesting that trust in environmental programmes alone is insufficient to motivate active participation without a corresponding sense of agency and competence. The results further indicate that participation is driven more by intrinsic motivation and direct livelihood dependence on the river than by institutional confidence or external incentives. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening environmental self-efficacy and internalised pro-environmental values within riverine communities to sustain long-term involvement in river rehabilitation. The study contributes to river basin management and community-based conservation literature by emphasising that effective river restoration requires not only structural interventions but also the empowerment of local stakeholders through awareness, skills development and participatory governance.
Keywords: Green self-efficacy, green trust, intention to participate, pro-environmental behaviour, time bank
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