Why communities withdraw: A multilevel analysis of participation barriers in climate governance and sustainable development in rural China

Rural communities in China play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and climate resilience, yet their participation in environmental governance remains critically low. Despite national commitments like China’s 2060 carbon neutrality target, systemic barriers including centralized decision-making, socioeconomic disparities, and cultural norms hinder meaningful rural engagement. This study investigates the structural, social, and motivational factors driving community withdrawal from climate and sustainability initiatives, offering insights into pathways for more inclusive governance. Using a qualitative multilevel case study design, we conducted in-depth fieldwork in Henan Village, Tongwei County, Gansu Province, engaging participants (villagers, officials, and community leaders) through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis, framed by Institutional Theory, Social Capital Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and Ecological Modernization Theory, revealed five key barriers: (1) rigid institutional structures, (2) unequal power dynamics, (3) weak motivational incentives, (4) misaligned policy-economic integration, and (5) limited re-engagement opportunities. Our findings highlight how top-down governance and eroded social trust stifle local agency, perpetuating disengagement. To counter this, we propose decentralized, polycentric models that distribute decision-making authority across multiple local and regional actors, fostering community-led initiatives. These models, supported by our fieldwork showing increased engagement in pilot decentralized programs, strengthen community autonomy, rebuild collective trust through participatory platforms, and align climate actions with rural livelihoods by integrating local economic priorities. These recommendations urge policymakers to reimagine participatory frameworks, ensuring China’s climate strategy is both equitable and effective. By centering rural voices, this study contributes to global debates on inclusive sustainability governance, offering lessons for regions facing similar participatory gaps.