Abstract
<p>Although trait interpersonal empathy has been shown to promote prosocial behavior and has been linked to pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, much less is known about whether empathic individuals support transformative environmental measures involving substantial, present-day, collective sacrifices while primarily benefiting future generations, if so, through which psychological processes this association emerges. Using a demographically representative sample of Swedish adults (N = 200; Mage = 43 years; 49.5% female), this study examined whether trait interpersonal empathy was associated with support for transformative environmental measures and whether concern for future generations accounted for this relationship. Structural equation modeling with latent variables showed that individuals higher in trait empathy reported significantly higher support for transformative environmental measures. This association was mediated by concern for future generations: empathic individuals experienced greater concern for the well-being of psychologically and temporally distant people, and this future-directed concern, in turn, was associated with higher support for transformative environmental measures today. These findings highlight a novel psychological pathway linking dispositional empathy to support for transformative environmental measures and underscore the potential of cultivating trait empathy to strengthen societal commitment to long-term environmental protection.</p>