Tightening the grip: environmental governance under Xi Jinping. Issue 5 (3rd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kostka, Genia; Zhang, Chunman
• Is Part Of: Environmental politics. Volume 27:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 769
• Page End: 781
• Publication Date: 2018-09-03
• Subjects: Environmental governance -- transition -- environmental policy -- environmental state -- China; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Green movement -- Periodicals; 333.72
• DOI: 10.1080/09644016.2018.1491116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-4016

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In the space of a few years, China's global image with regard to environmental matters has significantly improved. Particularly since Xi Jinping's coming-to-power in 2012 China's reputation in the global climate change regime has improved markedly and it has gained accolades for a new determination to reverse environmental degradation at home. China's incipient green transformation is partly due to a new actor constellation in environmental governance, a striking feature of which is the prominence of ad hoc campaigns that offer quick results but that may undermine the creation of law-based enforcement mechanisms in the long term. Another development – China's increasing use of emerging technologies and big data analytics – has given rise to new forms of government-business alliances. These new players and innovative approaches have injected momentum into China's environmental governance system and suggest that, contrary to conventional wisdom, authoritarian regimes can be responsive to citizen demands under certain circumstances. Yet it remains to be seen whether long-term environmental goals can be met, due to a pervasive lack of accountability, the weakening of civil society and heavy constraints on public participation.