“Bright is the Moon over My Home Village: Chinese Local Executives and Environmental Decoupling”
1. Meaning of the Study The phrase “Bright is the moon over my home village” metaphorically reflects emotional attachment and local identity . In this research context, it signifies how Chinese local government officials’ personal ties to their hometowns influence environmental governance and economic decisions . The study examines environmental decoupling , which refers to the ability of an economy to grow without proportionally increasing environmental degradation (such as pollution or carbon emissions). 👉 In simple terms: It explores whether local officials who feel a strong connection to their region are more likely to promote sustainable development instead of harmful industrial growth . 2. Introduction China’s rapid industrialization has driven remarkable economic growth, but it has also resulted in severe environmental challenges , including air pollution, water contamination, and carbon emissions. Traditionally, local officials in China were evaluated based on economi...