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Effective Supply Mechanism and Path of Environmental Public Goods in China

  • 2023
  • Book

About this book

This book, from the perspectives of the spatial and intergenerational externalities of environmental public goods, provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts and theories concerning environmental public goods supply and illustrates how to design the mechanism for promoting resident participation in effective environmental public goods supply under the guidance of the government. Noticeably, an intergenerational overlapping model for resident participation in environmental public goods supply has been created in the book, which generates new ideas for mitigating the long-standing forward intergenerational goods shortage. Moreover, this book uses happiness dataset to measure the feasibility of resident participation in environmental public goods supply and also makes a comparison between two supply models: Government Provide Model and Residents, Enterprises and Government Provide Model, so as to offer theoretically feasible suggestions.Not only is this book highly recommended for professionals in government units, universities, and research institutions that are engaged in environmental governance, but it can be used as a reference book for students of relevant majors in institutions of higher learning.

Table of Contents

  1. Frontmatter

  2. Chapter 1. Introduction

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the pressing issue of environmental pollution in China, highlighting the need for effective measures to address air, water, and waste pollution. It emphasizes the role of residents as active participants in environmental governance and explores the unique characteristics of environmental public goods, such as non-excludability and non-rivalry. The study employs Diamond’s OLG model to analyze different supply mechanisms and proposes a happiness measurement method to evaluate residents’ willingness to pay for environmental protection. Additionally, it examines the institutional factors contributing to the misallocation of environmental public goods and suggests policy reforms to enhance sustainable environmental governance. This research offers valuable insights into achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship, making it a compelling read for those interested in environmental policy and sustainable development.
  3. Chapter 2. Theoretical Basis and Literature Research

    Jibo Yang
    This chapter delves into the theoretical foundations of environmental public goods, focusing on intergenerational public goods and their unique characteristics. It explores the concepts of non-rivalry and non-excludability, and how these apply to goods that benefit future generations. The study also analyzes various theories and models, such as the 'Intergenerational Club' theory and the 'Tragedy of the Commons', to understand the challenges in supplying these goods. Additionally, it reviews the literature on intergenerational externalities and the factors influencing the supply of environmental public goods. The chapter highlights the importance of intergenerational equity and the need for sustainable development policies. It also discusses the role of altruism and government intervention in addressing the undersupply of these goods. The research path and strategies for the supply of environmental public goods are thoroughly examined, providing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.
  4. Chapter 3. Supply Status and Problems of Environmental Public Goods

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the critical issues surrounding environmental public goods, particularly air and water pollution in China. It begins by comparing China's air quality with international standards, highlighting the severe pollution levels, especially in major cities. The text also examines the impact of economic growth on pollution, showing that while economic development has led to improvements in some areas, it has also exacerbated environmental issues. The role of residents and industries in pollution is scrutinized, revealing that both contribute significantly to environmental degradation. The chapter underscores the need for effective policy measures and resident participation to address these challenges, suggesting that a multi-faceted approach is necessary to achieve sustainable environmental improvement.
  5. Chapter 4. Theoretical Modeling for Residents’ Participation in Supply of Environmental Public Goods

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the theoretical modeling of residents' participation in the supply of environmental public goods, employing a two-period OLG model. It interprets residents' motivation for voluntary supply through a microeconomic lens, focusing on utility maximization and budget constraints. The model extends the government supply framework by including residents as active participants, highlighting the benefits they bring as a supply side. The analysis covers the conditions under which residents are willing to voluntarily supply environmental public goods and provides policy recommendations for governments to promote such participation. Additionally, the chapter explores the game theory aspects of enterprise behavior in pollution control, offering insights into how governments can incentivize enterprises to curb pollutant discharge. The 'Boxed Pigs Game' analogy is used to illustrate the dynamics between government and private sector involvement in environmental public goods provision, emphasizing the importance of credible commitments and societal supervision.
  6. Chapter 5. Feasibility Research on Residents’ Participation in the Supply of Environmental Public Goods

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the feasibility of residents' participation in the supply of environmental public goods, focusing on their subjective willingness to pay for pollution control. It analyzes data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to assess residents' concerns about environmental pollution and their willingness to take action or pay for environmental improvements. The study highlights the growing concern among residents about environmental issues and their increasing willingness to contribute financially to environmental protection efforts. It also discusses various methods for evaluating residents' willingness to pay for environmental improvements, including revealed preference methods, stated preference methods, and happiness measurement methods. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding residents' willingness to pay for environmental public goods in order to develop effective policies and mechanisms for environmental governance.
  7. Chapter 6. Extended Analysis on Factors Influencing Residents’ Participation in the Supply of Environmental Public Goods

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the factors that motivate residents to participate in environmental public goods supply, such as income level, education, and environmental awareness. It discusses the Environmental Kuznets Curve and the role of technological progress in reducing emissions. Additionally, the text explores the impact of economic development stages on environmental concerns and the effectiveness of government policies in promoting environmental protection. The analysis is supported by statistical data and case studies, making it a valuable resource for understanding the complex dynamics of environmental participation.
  8. Chapter 7. Empirical Analysis on Supply of Environmental Public Goods—A Case of Clean Air

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter explores the feasibility of resident participation in environmental governance in China, focusing on their willingness to pay (WTP) for environmental protection. Using data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS2010), the study finds that homeowners have a significantly higher WTP for environmental protection compared to non-homeowners. The analysis also reveals that higher-income groups, families with children, and more educated individuals exhibit stronger WTP. The chapter employs both stated preference and happiness measurement methods to estimate residents' WTP, highlighting the importance of homeownership and income in shaping environmental attitudes and behaviors.
  9. Chapter 8. Case Study on Supply of Environmental Public Goods—“Five Water Co-governance” in Zhejiang

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the 'Five Water Co-governance' initiative in Zhejiang, China, which addresses urban water pollution through a multi-faceted approach. It begins by outlining the severity of water pollution in the region, attributing it to various sources such as industrial waste, domestic sewage, and agricultural runoff. The initiative, launched in 2013, focuses on sewage treatment, flood control, water-logging draining, water supply guarantee, and water saving. The chapter elaborates on the specific measures taken under each of these categories, highlighting the significant improvements made in water quality and public health. Notably, the success of the initiative is attributed to strong leadership, robust system construction, and extensive public participation. The case study offers valuable insights into effective water governance strategies and the importance of a holistic approach that involves government, private sector, and public engagement.
  10. Chapter 9. Case Study on Supply of Environmental Public Goods—Waste Sorting in Shanghai

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the complexities of waste management in Shanghai, focusing on the city's efforts to sort and manage household waste. It discusses the historical context of waste sorting in Shanghai, highlighting the city's early initiatives and the challenges it faced. The chapter also explores the various policies and measures implemented by the Shanghai government to improve waste management practices, including the establishment of a comprehensive waste sorting system and the promotion of public participation. Additionally, the chapter provides a detailed analysis of the challenges and obstacles that Shanghai continues to face in its quest for effective waste management, and offers insights into the strategies being employed to overcome these challenges. The case study of Changning District serves as a practical example of the successful implementation of waste sorting policies, illustrating the positive impact that can be achieved through effective government leadership, community involvement, and innovative waste management strategies.
  11. Chapter 10. Effective Supply Mechanism Design of Environmental Public Goods

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the complexities of designing effective supply mechanisms for environmental public goods, focusing on the roles of government policies, resident participation, and economic incentives. It analyzes the challenges posed by 'government failure', 'market failure', and 'voluntary failure' in different supply modes and proposes a Pigovian tax policy targeting enterprises. The text also explores the potential of residents serving as the supply side of quality environment, highlighting the importance of incentive mechanisms and intergenerational contracts. Furthermore, it discusses the necessity of a competitive 'Environmental Protection Fund Company' to avoid government failure and emphasizes the role of education and public participation in enhancing environmental governance.
  12. Chapter 11. Path for Chinese Residents’ Participation in Supply of Environmental Public Goods

    Jibo Yang
    The chapter delves into the multifaceted roles of Chinese residents in environmental governance, including their participation as individuals, families, or through environmental NGOs. It underscores the importance of residents' environmental awareness and collective actions, which can have both positive and negative impacts. The text also examines the systemic obstacles and the necessity of a balanced mechanism involving the government, enterprises, and residents to prevent social problems. It highlights the significance of promoting a social supervision mechanism and a cooperative governance model to enhance environmental quality effectively. The chapter further explores the strategies for mobilizing residents and social organizations to participate in environmental responsibility coordination, emphasizing the need for targeted policy research and a progressive approach tailored to different regions' economic development levels. By addressing these aspects, the chapter offers valuable insights into improving environmental governance through resident participation.
  13. Chapter 12. Main Conclusions and Prospects

    Jibo Yang
    This chapter delves into the application of public goods theory to environmental governance, emphasizing the spatial and intergenerational externalities of environmental public goods. It analyzes the 'free-rider' problem and proposes mechanisms for effective supply, focusing on the role of residents and enterprises. The chapter also discusses the challenges in China's current supply mechanism and suggests that resident participation can bring Pareto improvements. It introduces the life satisfaction measurement method to assess residents' willingness to pay for environmental protection and highlights the potential of government-led environmental governance with joint participation. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the 'intergenerational contract' and the benefits of progressive reform in China's environmental public goods supply. Throughout, the chapter offers a detailed and engaging exploration of the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental governance.
  14. Backmatter

Title
Effective Supply Mechanism and Path of Environmental Public Goods in China
Author
Jibo Yang
Copyright Year
2023
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Electronic ISBN
978-981-9929-39-9
Print ISBN
978-981-9929-38-2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2939-9

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