Voluntary governance model for addressing heavy metal pollution in China: an analysis of the network governance approach

ABSTRACT China, as a developing nation, has undergone rapid industrial growth over the past three decades. However, due to inadequate environmental regulations and enforcement, many industrial enterprises have discharged untreated wastewater directly into water bodies, leading to heavy metal pollution. Prolonged exposure to these heavy metals has become a significant public health concern. In response, the Chinese government has implemented a top-down, centralized state-centric approach to address the issue. However, this model has faced challenges, particularly in terms of delayed response times. This paper introduces the voluntary governance model, which has the potential to be a supplement to the state-centric model. Such a complement aims to enhance the efficiency of environmental governance and provide citizens with a healthier, cleaner environment.