Introduction: Addressing climate change requires structural policy changes that realize sustainable societies. To promote such transitions, pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) in the public sphere, such as political actions, play a crucial role. Value orientations are considered fundamental determinants of PEB, whereas egoistic value has often been regarded as a barrier to PEB, especially in the private sphere. However, its role in the public-sphere PEB has not been sufficiently examined under the current climate crisis. This study examined how egoistic value affect PEB across both the private and public spheres.


Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in February 2025 with 1,200 Japanese adults, collecting their responses on value orientations and intentions of 16 types of PEB in the public and private spheres. Factor analysis identified three PEB domains in each sphere. Regression models were estimated for each PEB domain, with egoistic value as a mean-centered predictor. Quadratic egoistic value terms were included to examine their linear and U-shaped patterns.


Result: PEBs in the public sphere (e.g., voting, petition signing) showed significant positive linear and quadratic associations, suggesting that individuals with higher egoistic value tended to engage in these actions. In contrast, PEBs in the private sphere exhibited different patterns: a U-shape for sustainable consumption with the lowest intentions at moderate egoistic value levels, a negative linear relation for resource conservation, and communication similar to PEBs in the public sphere.


Discussion: These findings suggest that the role of egoistic value depends on the behavioral context, specifically whether it is in the private or public sphere. Stronger egoistic value could promote collective engagement, accelerating sustainable transitions. This may reflect the growing self-relevance of the climate crisis, as evidenced by recent extreme weather events. This study highlights the need to reconsider how egoistic value shapes PEBs across behavioral contexts.