Empathy has been identified as a key psychological factor in promoting pro-environmental behavior. This comprehensive review aimed to synthesize the existing literature on the effectiveness of empathy training interventions in fostering sustainable attitudes and actions. A systematic search of multiple databases yielded 35 studies that met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of 20 studies revealed a significant positive effect of empathy training on pro-environmental behavior. Subgroup analyses indicated that perspective-taking exercises and immersive nature experiences were the most effective intervention types. Qualitative findings suggested that empathy training increased participants' connectedness with nature, awareness of environmental issues, and sense of moral obligation to protect the environment. Meta-regression analyses identified intervention duration, setting, and participant age as significant moderators of intervention effectiveness. Future directions for research include establishing standardized approaches to empathy training and assessment, investigating the mediating mechanisms underlying the relationship between empathy and pro-environmental behavior, and exploring the optimal design and implementation of interventions for different target populations and environmental contexts.

Junjie Luo, Ranli Zhao, Yan Li. The Role of Empathy Training in Promoting Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Comprehensive Review. Frontiers in Educational Research (2025), Vol. 8, Issue 9: 82-89. https://doi.org/10.25236/FER.2025.080914.

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