Journal of Foresight and Health Governance 3092-6173 In Press 2026 07 01 A Prospective Analysis of Factors Influencing the Pro-Environmental Behavior of Iranian Citizens: Environmental Governance and Structural Equation Modeling A Prospective Analysis of Factors Influencing the Pro-Environmental Behavior of Iranian Citizens: Environmental Governance and Structural Equation Modeling 1 16 EN Journal Article 2026 02 24 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Pro-environmental behavior among citizens is a fundamental component of sustainable development and the mitigation of contemporary environmental crises. International experience indicates that environmental policies rarely produce durable outcomes without informed and responsible public participation. Understanding the determinants of pro-environmental behavior is therefore particularly important in urban communities confronted with air pollution, waste generation, excessive energy use, water scarcity, and degradation of natural resources. This study prospectively analyzed the cultural, cognitive, value-based, and ethical factors associated with the pro-environmental behavior of Iranian citizens. The theoretical framework drew on the Theory of Planned Behavior, Norm-Activation Theory, Value-Belief-Norm theory, and contemporary explanations of the knowledge-action gap. The study was applied in purpose and descriptive-correlational in design. The population consisted of residents of District 12 of Tehran, and data were collected from 390 participants using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. Environmental education, environmental awareness and knowledge, environmental values, and environmental ethics all had positive and statistically significant effects on pro-environmental behavior. Environmental ethics showed the strongest direct effect and significantly mediated the relationships of education, awareness, and values with behavior. The model explained 71% of the variance in pro-environmental behavior. These findings indicate that increasing general knowledge alone is insufficient. Effective policy requires the reinforcement of biocentric values, the internalization of moral responsibility toward nature, and educational and cultural programs adapted to citizens' social context.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://www.journalfph.com/index.php/jfph/article/download/67/75