Explaining the sustained public participation of ENGOs in China's water governance: a case study of the 'civilian river chiefs' under the theoretical framework of 'double embeddedness'. Issue 4 (4th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Raymond Yu; Peng, Ying; Liu, Yi
• Is Part Of: International journal of water resources development. Volume 38:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 680
• Page End: 698
• Publication Date: 2022-07-04
• Subjects: Public participation -- environmental non-governmental organization -- sustainability -- water governance -- river chiefs -- China; Water resources development -- Periodicals; Water-supply, Agricultural -- Periodicals; 333.91005
• DOI: 10.1080/07900627.2022.2034601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0790-0627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although essential to successful environmental governance, public participation has been sporadic and fragmented in China. Drawing on in-depth interviews conducted in the southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, this paper explores how environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) have carried out 'civilian river chiefs' projects as novel approaches to water governance. We propose a framework of 'double embeddedness', within which ENGOs have built political and social legitimacy, reciprocity, and networks that enable their sustained participation in water governance. Our findings suggest that new patterns of state–community–non-governmental organization relationships are key to understanding public participation in China's future environmental governance.