Air Pollution Policy in Singapore, Dalian, and Hong Kong: Contemporary Case Studies Examining the Role of Political Will in Policy Development and Enforcement

This text presents the results of a comparative study of the development and enforcement of air pollution policies in three large Asian port cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and Dalian. It examines why these cities have evolved along different lines of environmental policy development and enforcement. The text addresses the causes for differing governmental attitudes regarding environmental policy in these three cities, including the effect that political will has had on the development and enforcement of environmental legislation. Special attention is paid to differences in government structure and the effect this may have had on legislation and enforcement. This work draws on a series of interviews with government officials, academics and leaders of local non-governmental organizations conducted in 2004 to explore the role that government structure and the presence or absence of political will has in accounting for differences in environmental policy and enforcement. Findings highlight the key role of political will, particularly when fostered by a popular public figure in positive environmental outcomes.