Political embeddedness in public–private partnership for nature conservation: A land trust reserve case from China
This research analyzes political embeddedness in the public–private partnership managing China’s Laohegou Nature Reserve. It shows how government and ENGOs leverage complementary strengths, balance power, and pursue shared conservation goals to create an effective land trust model that enhances biodiversity protection and long‑term reserve management.
Subject Tags
- Policy, Finance, and Markets
- Biodiversity
Abstract
Private sector plays an increasingly vital role in nature conservation globally. This study explores the concept of political embeddedness, which suggests that governments and environmental nongovernmental organizations (ENGOs) can leverage each other’s strengths to achieve both formal and informal goals. Using the case of Laohegou Nature Reserve in China, this study illustrated how the complementary advantages of the government and ENGOs form the foundation of a land trust reserve. Within the case, the study found that power and interest balance between the government and ENGOs during project implementation supported their formal cooperation in nature conservation. This study proposed a political perspective to elaborate power and interest in the formal and informal dimensions of nature conservation public–private partnership (PPP) project. Moreover, it noted that a balance of power between the government and ENGOs is essential in building partnership networks with inclusive interests.
Citation
Zhao, J., Jin, T., Zhang, P., Krott, M., & Liu, J. (2024). Political embeddedness in public–private partnership for nature conservation: A land trust reserve case from China. Ambio, 53(2), 324-338.
TNC Authors
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Tong Jin
The Nature Conservancy