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The latent causal chain of industrial water pollution in China

  • Xin Miao*
  • , Yanhong Tang
  • , Christina W.Y. Wong
  • , Hongyu Zang
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology
  • Northeast Agricultural University
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debate

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to discover the latent causal chain of industrial water pollution in China and find ways to cure the wanton discharge of toxic waste from industries. It draws evidences from the past pollution incidents in China. Through further digging the back interests and relations by analyzing representative cases, extended theory about loophole derivations and causal chain effect is drawn. This theoretical breakthrough reflects deeper causality. Institutional defect instead of human error is confirmed as the deeper reason of frequent outbreaks of water pollution incidents in China. Ways for collaborative environmental governance are proposed. This paper contributes to a better understanding about the deep inducements of industrial water pollution in China, and, is meaningful for ensuring future prevention and mitigation of environmental pollution. It illuminates multiple dimensions for collaborative environmental governance to cure the stubborn problem.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)473-477
Number of pages5
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume196
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2015
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

  • Causal chain
  • Environmental governance
  • Institution
  • Water pollution

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