Green Campus Initiative and water conservation practices in student housing

Abstract

This study investigates how Green Campus Initiative (GCI) programmes influence water conservation practices in student residences at a public university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A qualitative research design was used, involving 61 participants, including GCI members (n = 58), practitioners (n = 2), and a Residence Life Officer (n = 1). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and qualitative questionnaires and analysed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo 12. The findings show that GCI initiatives such as Shower Hour, Dark Hour, water reuse (e.g. JoJo tanks) and informal environmental education raise awareness and influence daily water-use habits. However, inconsistent programme delivery, limited monitoring systems, and uneven visibility hinder sustained behavioural change. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the study demonstrates how attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control interact to influence water-saving behaviour in residences.
Contribution: Methodologically, the study contributes by combining multistakeholder qualitative data with NVivo-assisted thematic analysis to offer residence-level insights, a context often overlooked in campus sustainability research. The study enhances understanding of behavioural and structural drivers of water conservation and provides practical recommendations to strengthen GCI implementation in higher education institutions.