**4. Results**

The results of the questionnaire analysis in SPSS prior to conducting the SEM technique indicated that most occupants were young, the majority averaging between 30 and 49, with college/university degrees and a good knowledge and understanding of sustainability. The majority were renters with an average occupancy number of 2–4 persons. More than 65% of the respondents expressed concerns about the environment and considered climate change to be a global threat. On the other hand, the findings showed that while the majority were concerned about the environment and were aware of sustainability and climate change issues, only relatively few behaved in an environmentally friendly fashion in their daily lifestyle. The comments from the questionnaire indicated that although the majority of the respondents were aware of climate change and they claimed that they considered climate change to be a major or minor threat, and also confirmed the need for energy conservation, they still chose to behave in an un-environmentally friendly fashion; for example, they responded that they run the washing machine at a higher setting rather than using it at the eco mode, or they run the

tap while brushing their teeth, etc. It is fair to conclude that their attitudes and values were not leading them to behave in an environmentally friendly manner. This outcome confirms the revelations from the literature review [60], where the authors noted there were intervening constructs between attitude and behaviour. They mentioned knowledge as an intervening factor, and this research study adds to this finding, as the knowledge should inform and motivate occupants to engage in environmentally friendly behaviour.

Occupants explained that the main factor for moving into the building was the location, which provides easy access to their workplaces. Energy e fficiency remains a minor consideration for consumers when choosing a home, with the majority of respondents identifying it as the least important factor out of six choices. In general, occupants displayed some positive attitudes towards environmental behaviour, such as energy and water conservation, but not for recycling, and especially not for alternative transportation. Recycling behaviour, on the other hand, was the most considered behaviour, in comparison to other environmentally sensitive conduct. Several occupants constantly displayed positive attitudes towards recycling due to their knowledge, previous habits, culture, and beliefs, and emphasised how e ffortless it was to recycle. The findings regarding using public transportation show that occupants relied on their vehicles for grocery shopping even during the wintertime and nice weather. Furthermore, none of the occupants mentioned that they owned a hybrid car.

The majority of occupants confirmed that their cooling system was responsive enough for their needs, so they were able to enjoy a satisfactory thermal comfort level. However, the findings showed that AC working hours, especially during summer days, were very high, and that this caused high energy bills. The other highly rated factor in satisfaction was related to privacy and security; in particular, the latter quality applied not only to their buildings, but to the whole of the UAE. Most of the respondents agreed that there was su fficient light in their homes during daylight hours in order not to need artificial light. There were some exceptions related to lack of daylight caused by inappropriate building design. The occupants agreed that maintenance and operation was of an acceptable level, with some occupants complaining about the quality of the building materials used and the finishes. Dissatisfaction was expressed with respect to high energy bills, and purchase and rental cost, and when asked if they had su fficient garden space and recreational areas, the majority of them were strongly dissatisfied.

Although many occupants received instruction manuals and/or training on how to operate the technologies inside their apartments, the results demonstrated that the quality of information was inconsistent, and was often inadequate or overly complicated, rendering the information incomprehensible, and therefore of little value to the occupants. It was also confirmed that no post-occupancy evaluations were conducted, and no information/feedback processes were implemented to raise awareness among occupants about the environmental outcomes of their behaviour.

The findings highlighted that green buildings require a high level of occupant and operator engagemen<sup>t</sup> and understanding in order for them to remain holistically green. Low levels of education, motivation and coordination lead to minimal levels of environmentally focused activity from the building occupants. The survey findings suggested that training and education (Knowledge) driven by motivational factors such as i) creating a good socio-cultural environment, and ii) o ffering financial incentives are key concerns for achieving sustainable development. Matching technology, managemen<sup>t</sup> sophistication, understanding roles, social organisation, and interactions among building occupants and operators, together with economic incentives, combine to constitute a major avenue through which proper environmental behaviours can be encouraged.

The authors found inconsistency in occupant AKB-related results, and therefore they decided to further investigate the interrelationships between AKB using the SEM technique as described below.

#### *4.1. Conceptual Measurement Model*

The six questions under the attitude-related survey questionnaire were chosen as observed variables by the authors for ATTITUDE, twenty-six questions were included for the behaviour-related survey questionnaire as observed variables for BEHAVIOUR, and three questions related to the provided information and guidelines were chosen for KNOWLEDGE.

The conceptual (hypothesized) measurement model generated in AMOS is presented in Figure 6. The model shows the interrelationships among the latent/unobserved variables (AKB) and their indicators/observed variables (questionnaire data) for the purpose of assessing goodness of fit and/or validity. The unobserved/latent variable is linked to an observed variable, in order to make its measurement possible. Assessment of 'ATTITUDE' (ATT) constitutes the direct measurement of six observed variables obtained through the questionnaire survey; similarly, 'BEHAVIOUR' (BEH) is measured through 26 variables (based on recycling, water use, electricity use, lighting use, summer/winter use and transport) and 'KNOWLEDGE' (KNOW) is measured through three observed variables. Further analysis was performed through SEM in AMOS, and was categorised and coded as given below:
