The Role of ENGOs in Greening Consumer Electronics Supply Chains in China: The Case of Heavy Metal Pollution

Abstract

After relocating to developing countries in the era of globalization, some supply chains have led to serious environmental pollution while contributing to economic development in their host countries. To address the environmental challenges caused by supply chains, some environmental NGOs attempt to put pressure on multinational enterprises, which are expected to improve the environmental performance of their suppliers. This chapter uses the heavy metal pollution caused by consumer electronics supply chains in China to explore the role that environmental NGOs play. By tracing the actions of the Green Choice Alliance (GCA), major consumer electronics brands and their tier-one suppliers and so on, it suggests that the positive role of GCA has been constrained by a complex policy environment, which is featured by limited cooperation from major consumer electronics brands, as well as limited attention from mass media and ambivalent attitude of local governments. In conclusion, three policy options are discussed for public authority to support the efforts of environmental NGOs.

This study was sponsored by Shanghai Educational Commission’s 2015 Innovative Research Project ‘Public-private partnership approach to supply chain environmental governance’.