Multilevel governance in environmental policy integration: A content analysis of regional and urban nested hierarchies in China.

This study attempts to identify the different priorities of environmental policy integration under a multilevel governance background in China. The subjects for analysis included the four‐level hierarchies of China's central government, the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai, and Chongming eco‐island. NVivo 12 Plus software aided the content analysis of regional and urban nested hierarchy planning documents. The results represent environmental policy integration (EPI) priorities in different hierarchical levels and sectors, as well as the sectoral elaboration on prioritized policy instruments. In addition, the implications of the results in the process toward co‐work in multilevel governance of EPI are discussed. Though inconsistencies exist in EPI priorities, it is advised to design the coordinative vertical framework and approach these policy instruments cooperatively across multilevel governance. In the strategic co‐work relations, the four levels follow the same blueprint in their EPI. Regarding the interactions among multilevel ranks, the results show an inclination of being fueled by the central authority. However, how the local governmental levels will embody and enforce higher levels' priorities could depend on the different natural and societal conditions at each level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]