Interest of Public and Private Sector Employees in Environmental and Nature-Related Issues: An Empirical Perspective on the Social Dimension of the Green Transformation

Abstract

The green transformation is not only a process driven by technological and institutional arrangements but also a social transformation shaped by individuals’ perceptions, attitudes, and levels of interest in environmental and nature-related issues[cite: 21]. In this context, its social dimension is closely related to individuals’ environmental awareness and engagement[cite: 21]. This study examines the socio-demographic and socio-economic factors associated with the interest of public and private sector employees in environmental and nature-related issues, with a focus on the social dimension of the green transformation[cite: 21]. The analysis is based on the Turkish Statistical Institute’s (TURKSTAT) 2024 Life Satisfaction Survey Micro Data Set[cite: 21]. Non-working individuals, as well as those whose responses were “moderate” or “undecided,” were excluded, resulting in a final sample of 3,033 employed individuals[cite: 21]. The dataset was reorganized accordingly, and the analysis was conducted using a logit model[cite: 21]. The results indicate that environmental interest is significantly associated with socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, particularly gender, education level, marital status, sector of employment, social security coverage, and income[cite: 21]. The findings also show that public sector employees exhibit higher levels of environmental interest than those in the private sector[cite: 21]. Overall, the results suggest that environmental interest is shaped not only by individual characteristics but also by institutional and socio-economic contexts.