科研之友
微信
新浪微博
Facebook
分享链接
摘要
This paper analyses eight governance approaches and representative case studies on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in China. Applying a four quadrants analysis framework (consumption, production, top-down, bottom-up), the effectiveness of governance approaches for SCP are assessed and discussed. Several case studies and examples either enabling SCP patterns or restricting unsustainable consumption and production, which reflect some of the different governance approaches currently used in China, are presented. The analysis of the governance approaches and cases is informed by inputs and evaluations by Chinese and international experts which were consulted for this paper by means of an expert survey. While acknowledging the complementarity and synergistic effects of individual governance approaches, experts interviewed were asked to assess the effectiveness of different approaches one by one. Expert assessments and case studies show that China's governance system for SCP is still considered insufficient in many aspects. Generally, top-down approaches can be considered more effective than bottom-up initiatives. Strong top-down mechanisms to address and restrict unsustainable consumption patterns of individual urban consumers are a unique element of China's SCP governance system. Chinese experiences with such top-down approaches to restrict unsustainable consumption are potentially of interest for the European context and other consumer societies which so far mainly rely on soft mechanisms such as incentives, voluntary action or bottom-up approaches. The case studies on bottom-up initiatives from China show that small-scale local initiatives jointly carried out by civil society, communities and small businesses can be very successful in enabling both sustainable production and consumption on local levels, particularly in rural areas.
- 出版日期2014-1-15
