NEET is unsustainable for the environment. A mixed-method comparative study on NEETs and their perceived environmental responsibility

We explore whether young people environmental responsibility is negatively affected by a condition of social exclusion, such that of NEETs. By using a mixed-method comparative approach (fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis) we explore whether alternative configurations of NEETs condition lead to the presence of high levels of perceived individual environmental responsibility across European countries. Then, by using GSEM estimation, we test whether the association between the NEET condition and the level of perceived environmental responsibility is mediated by the individual happiness. We found that the presence of more vulnerable NEETs is associated with lower levels of perceived environmental responsibility: the association is confirmed at the micro level only in some countries.