Trust in government and its changing dimensions: an exploration of Environmental Policy in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study reports the findings of three-year investigation into the changing levels and dimensions of trust in government capacity to deal with environmental risks associated with air pollution, sustainable development, waste and water in Hong Kong. The study is multi-method; combining quantitative surveys with qualitative focus groups, and was conducted between 2005 and 2008. Findings point towards largely low but unchanging levels of trust in the Hong Kong government during this period. However, the number of dimensions of trust reduced over the study period to a more general lack of trust in the government’s ability to deal with these environmental risks. Solutions to the deficit of trust largely focused on the need for more deliberative and inclusive processes and the greater availability of information. The need for additional research is discussed alongside the policy implications of our study.