Why Leaders Take Pro-environmental Actions: Some Evidence from China

Pro-environmental actions have long been examined as the result of institutional forces, though anecdotes suggest the significant role of individual leaders. Little is known about this role in environmental policy... [ view full abstract ]

Pro-environmental actions have long been examined as the result of institutional forces, though anecdotes suggest the significant role of individual leaders. Little is known about this role in environmental policy implementation in the public sector. Few empirical studies explore public-sector environmental leadership. In this study, using a unique database from an environmental network in China, we empirically test a typology of environmental leadership, and examine leaders’ motives for actions. We then establish the relevance of our findings in environmental policy implementation. We find that pro-environmental leadership actions are mainly motivated by self-interests such as bringing economic opportunities to agencies, though other self-serving motives may negate leadership actions. The research explains the seemingly conflicted findings in light of complexity of policy making in China.