Abstract

Central and Eastern European countries have a lower level of awareness of global ecological and sustainability concerns compared to other EU countries, particularly in the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia), despite ongoing environmental breakdown. Therefore, it is important to understand trends in the attitudes, opinions, and behaviors of Latvian society. Conceptually relying on reflections on the linkage between ecological attitudes and pro-environmental behavior and self-reported pro-environmental behavior, quantitative measures have been used to analyze long-term trends in pro-environmental behavior to assess the resilience of people in European countries. Quantitative data from several waves of surveys, starting with the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) questionnaire on ecological and economic issues in 2000 and 2010, are analyzed, extending to general population surveys in Latvia in 2017 and 2021. Central and Eastern European countries have lower proportions of practicing environmental behavior, but a relative increase in pro-environmental behaviors can also be observed. Latvia demonstrated a significant increase in waste separation compared to other countries, but no substantial changes in other types of environmental behavior. Long-term trends in sustainable behavior in Latvia show an increase in the prevalence of behaviors aligned with environmental responsibility. Nevertheless, it is advisable to be cautious when interpreting the surge in ecologically conscientious action, considering that the second poll was conducted amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Two distinct categories of individuals are revealed through logistic regression analysis: those who exhibit little or maximal engagement in environmentally responsible behavior. However, the factors influencing environmentally responsible behavior lack consistent patterns.