Assessing environmental governance performance in southwest China: A multi-method approach

Southwest China, characterized by rich biodiversity and ecological sensitivity, is a region where in-depth research on the spatial distribution and influencing factors of environmental governance performance (EGP) holds significant implications for national ecological civilization and sustainable development. This study assesses Southwest China's EGP from 2010 to 2022 by constructing a comprehensive evaluation system encompassing six dimensions: resource allocation, economic support, public services, governance assurance, risk response, and social participation. Employing the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) to objectively determine indicator weights and rank regional performance, it is found that Sichuan Province leads overall, while Chongqing excels specifically in public participation. Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) identified environmental education (C14) and public complaints (C16) as the most influential factors. Furthermore, Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) revealed multiple configurational pathways to high EGP, primarily categorized as ‘economic-environmental synergy’ (the interplay between economic development and ecological conservation) and ‘technology-social co-creation’ (the joint effect of technological investment and social engagement). These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, underscoring the necessity of tailored strategies that integrate economic, technological, and social dimensions to enhance governance effectiveness in diverse regional contexts.