06 FEB 2020 (THU) 15:15-16:00

Environmental information transparency and people’s preferences for public environmental goods

Map Library, Rm10.10, 10/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

Ms Su Yining PhD Student, Department of Geography, HKU

Abstract:

Despite the promotion of the information disclosure scheme by Chinese government, the actual influence of the information disclosure remains unclear. Among the disclosed information, environmental information is one of those drawing most public. Most research regarding environmental information disclosure focuses on the main body who disclose information, such as the government and the corporations. Limited research has examined in the impact mechanism of environmental information on public preferences for public environmental goods. In addition, the practical strategies towards the influences of the environmental information are missing out in research.

This research addresses these issues by proposing an empirical study on societal preferences towards river restoration both in Guangzhou, China and Brussel, Belgium. Specifically, the project will address the following three research questions: (1) What is the current environmental information transparency status and how people behave towards public environmental goods in China? (2) What are the characteristics of environmental information impact mechanism? (3) What are the possible environmental-information-based strategies to generate a deeper extent of public participation in river restoration and other environmental issues?

The interact between environmental information and public perception will be the focus of this study. Quantitative analysis will be adopted to examine the influences of environmental information on public perception of environmental issues and to detect other characteristics. The proposed research broads the scope of environmental information study and will give insights for governments to promoting public participation in river restoration through information-based strategies.

Places are limited and prior registration for HKU staff and students is encouraged.

Interested non-HKU members may also register by email to machds@hku.hk.

If the registration is successful, a confirmation email with a named invitation letter will be issued as visitors may be required to show the official letter at University’s checkpoints.