How Can Public Value In Local Environmental Governance Be Constructed?

The key to solve the wicked problems in local environmental governance lies in the construction of public value.This first needs to clarify how the public value in local environmental governance is constructed.This paper proposes an integrated framework of the public value construction process of local environmental governance in China,and uses the research design of "the most similar case comparison" to compare the process of two development zone governments dealing with similar events,and analyzes the logic and causal mechanism of public value construction,which provides empirical evidence for the above theoretical framework and proposition.The study finds that the public value of local environmental governance in China has the dual logic of local government autonomy construction and central government authority construction.At the local level,the local government will absorb the preferences and needs of the people and enterprises,and then integrate the value within its system to create the public value of local environmental governance;When the public value construction of local environmental governance fails,the central government will create the public value of local environmental governance from top to bottom through pressure system and value penetration mechanism.The actual construction logic and path of public value of local environmental governance in China depend on the "strategic triangle",that is,the maximum matching degree of authoritative environment,value goal and operational capability.When the local government implements the authoritative value of central environmental governance in place,the government-based value is compatible with the people-based value in the value goal of environmental governance,and the operating conditions for the government,enterprises and people to jointly create the public value of environmental governance are sufficient,the process of local environmental governance is the process of creating public value.On the contrary,it is the process of public value failure.It is also found that the inspection system of the central government for environmental protection strengthens the pressure and execution in the authoritative environment,transmits the concept of "people-centered" in the orientation of public value goals,and directly absorbs people ’s demands from the operation ability.It is the best model to construct the public value of environmental governance from top to bottom when there is failure in the construction of public value of environmental governance in local areas.This paper integrates and expands the theoretical framework of public value,consolidates the empirical basis of public value theory,and shows the "Chinese Approach" of public value construction of environmental governance through “telling China’s stories well”.The policy direction of this paper is to "bring public value back to local environmental governance" and establish a public value-oriented environmental governance system,which provides some enlightenment for the construction of a modern environmental governance system with multiple participation and positive interaction as the main characteristics.