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Central–local conflicts in China’s environmental policy implementation: the case of the sloping land conversion program

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  • Xueying Yu

    (Beihang University)

Abstract

Deforestation since the 1980s has led to substantial loss of ecological services in China. As a responsive strategy, China launched the most ambitious reforestation efforts in the developing world. However, like many other environmental policies, forestry policy has not been effectively implemented, mainly due to the fragmentation nature in China’s environmental governance institution. This paper highlights the impact of central–local conflicts on forestry policy implementation. With insufficient motivation, local governments tend to minimize their efforts in planning, monitoring, and supporting reforestation activities, which poses great challenges on the sustainability of the reforestation benefits. With extensive field experiences, this paper also raises three innovative strategies to solve the financial dilemma that leads to the effort minimization phenomenon, with both the advantages and disadvantages for each strategy critically discussed. It finally recommends ways by which the central government could improve design of reforestation policies, or other large-scale ecological programs, which involve local governments as a key liaison.

Suggested Citation

  • Xueying Yu, 2016. "Central–local conflicts in China’s environmental policy implementation: the case of the sloping land conversion program," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 84(1), pages 77-96, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:84:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-016-2339-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2339-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Li Li & Atsushi Tsunekawa & Yangshangyu Zuo & Atsushi Koike, 2019. "Conservation Payments and Technical Efficiency of farm Households Participating in the Grain for Green Program on the Loess Plateau of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Yuanjie Deng & Wencong Cai & Mengyang Hou & Xiaolong Zhang & Shiyuan Xu & Nan Yao & Yajun Guo & Hua Li & Shunbo Yao, 2022. "How Eco-Efficiency Is the Forestry Ecological Restoration Program? The Case of the Sloping Land Conversion Program in the Loess Plateau, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-20, May.
    3. Fang Xu & Meng Tian & Jie Yang & Guohu Xu, 2020. "Does Environmental Inspection Led by the Central Government Improve the Air Quality in China? The Moderating Role of Public Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-27, April.
    4. Chen, Cheng & Matzdorf, Bettina & Zhen, Lin & Schröter, Barbara, 2020. "Social-Network Analysis of local governance models for China's eco-compensation program," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).

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