Climate Change Awareness and Sustainable Travel Intentions: The Mediating Role of Climate Anxiety

Abstract

Recently, climate anxiety, climate change consciousness, and the adoption of sustainable travel practices have been considered key elements of the tourism industry.  In this context, the relationships between these variables have been analyzed from a holistic perspective. The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of climate awareness on the adoption of sustainable travel intentions. Moreover, the mediating role of climate anxiety in the aforementioned relationship has also been investigated in the research. 470 guests who visited Turkey throughout 2025 were surveyed as part of the study. The data collected have been analyzed using the New Ecological Paradigm, Climate Anxiety, and Environmentally Responsible Behavior Scales. The analysis has indicated a significant positive relationship between climate awareness and sustainable travel intention. It has also been found that climate anxiety strengthens this connection. Additionally, the partial mediating role of climate anxiety in the relationship between climate awareness and behavioral intention has been determined using structural equation modeling. In addition to these, demographic analysis has revealed that female and younger participants have higher levels of climate anxiety and greater participation in sustainable travel practices. Therefore, the research highlights the crucial role of climate anxiety in the formation of sustainable behavioral intentions. In conclusion, several suggestions have been made for the stakeholders and policymakers of the tourism industry. It’s of utmost importance for them to develop strategies and organize campaigns to raise awareness because, with proper guidance, climate anxiety is thought to act as a strong motivator for encouraging people to adopt sustainable practices. The study contributes theoretically to the literature on climate psychology and sustainable tourism by clarifying the awareness–emotion–behavior relationship in the tourism context; it also provides practical recommendations for destination managers and policymakers to develop communication strategies and campaigns that channel climate anxiety into encouraging low-carbon travel choices.