This study was my Honours project which I completed at the end of 2025. The research examines which employees within the mining and energy sector are most likely to support and lead the transition efforts toward renewable energy. As global decarbonisation movements continue to lag behind critical climate targets, understanding the human and organisational drivers of change within high-emission industries is increasingly important. Drawing on the Attention Based View of the firm, the Attitude Behaviour Gap, and Social Identity Theory, I investigate how employee characteristics, organisational context, and value alignment influence pro-environmental beliefs and behavioural intentions.
Using survey data from 153 employees across the mining and energy sector, the study applies exploratory factor analysis, regression modelling, and cluster analysis to identify patterns of climate engagement and concern for the future. Findings reveal a pronounced Attitude Behaviour Gap: while employees broadly endorse the reality and urgency of climate change, they show limited willingness to incur personal costs, such as working additional hours or sacrificing income, to support emission reduction efforts. Importantly, behavioural willingness is not predicted by belief strength. Instead, organisational factors, particularly perceived alignment between employee and company climate values, departmental context, and proximity to operational environments, emerge as stronger drivers of engagement.
The study identifies three distinct employee profiles: (1) low engagement, (2) belief without action, and (3) highly engaged individuals. The findings suggest that organisations seeking to accelerate decarbonisation should prioritise fostering value alignment and empowering operationally engaged employees as internal change agents.
This research contributes to both theory and practice by extending understanding of climate engagement within industrial workforces and offering actionable insights for organisational strategy through the renewable energy transition.