Background: Ethics has been considered as an effective factor in resolving environmental crises and the way to prevent environmental degradation is to revive moral values. Therefore, public awareness of the value and importance of the environment is essential for the development of environmental ethics.
Method: The present study is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of information and data collection. The statistical population of the study was 245 petrochemical employees of Marvdasht city. The sample size was determined based on Cochran's formula of 150 people. The data collection tool is a standard questionnaire. The scoring of the questionnaire was 5-point Likert. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with partial least squares method and Smart PLS 2 software.
Results: The results of structural equation modeling showed that knowledge, attitude, behavior and acceptance of environmental responsibility have a positive and significant relationship with the development of environmental ethics. Among these, acceptance of environmental responsibility with path coefficient of 0.816 and significance coefficient of 27.507 has the highest relationship and environmental knowledge with path coefficient of 0.233 and significance coefficient of 2.168 has the least relation with the development of environmental ethics.
Conclusion: According to the research findings, if environmental knowledge, attitude and behavior are strengthened in people, they will feel more responsible for the environment around them and try to solve environmental crises, thus environmental ethics develops in society.