Neither Worse nor Better: Engagement in Pro-Environmental Behaviors by UK-Born and Global South Immigrant Residents of Manchester UK

Abstract

We investigate how pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) are shaped by migration background, asking whether frequency of engagement is shaped by experience of migration from a Global South to Global North country and comparing engagement of immigrants and nonimmigrants. We use survey data (n = 530) to examine the demographic and cultural factors that shape PEB with attention to people who have moved from Somalia and Pakistan to the United Kingdom (UK). Findings from multivariate models predicting a series of sustainability practices indicate that: First, there is little significant difference between UK born and non-UK born in frequency of engagement in PEB. Second, the variable that most consistently associates with PEB is concern for the environment, while a range of socio-demographic characteristics does not show a systematic effect. These findings enable us to question assumptions that immigrants from Global South countries are uninterested in environmental issues and need to be educated about household sustainability.