Abstract ID: 3.12748 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

As the natural environment undergoes rapid changes due to anthropogenic climate change, nature enthusiasts – those most in contact with fragile ecosystems – are paradoxically significant contributors to travel emissions. This includes members of POW, an environmental organization representing the outdoor community. Sustainable mobility for outdoor recreation faces unique challenges, particularly in remote areas characterized by low population density, complex geographical conditions (such as mountainous regions), and inadequate public transport services. I conducted a survey analysis among European POW members, which included 134 respondents, as well as a focus group to explore POW members’ everyday mobility behavior for outdoor recreation. This mixed-methods approach examined the behavioral antecedents and other factors influencing this behavior. I employed a hierarchical regression analysis to understand the relationship between environmental attitudes, intention to reduce car use, and outdoor mobility behavior. While environmental attitudes prove to determine part of the variance in mobility behavior, intentions do not. I also examined mode choices and travel patterns of the POW community. I, later, delved into a comparative study between POW members from two case study areas – Norway and the Alpine part of Italy – to compare outdoor mobility behaviors and explore different barriers to sustainable outdoor mobility. The findings reveal a significant mismatch between POW members’ high environmental attitudes and their actual outdoor mobility behaviors. By understanding the attitude-behavior gap, as well as identifying potential differences based on gender, education level, country, and urban versus rural settings, this research aims to guide the development of effective actions and policies. Lowering the environmental impact from mobility of the outdoor community is essential to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy and protect the playground offered by natural and mountain areas.