Grassroots vs. greenhouse: the role of environmental organizations in reducing carbon emissions

Why do some communities see fewer greenhouse gas emissions than others? This study examines the intervening role of environmental NGOs in Japanese urban emissions between 2005 and 2017. We draw from all 1741 Japanese municipalities, testing the effect of grassroots NGOs on emissions, and demonstrating different pathways to reducing emissions through the cases of three environmental organizations. While past studies have examined the role of social ties in environmental governance outcomes like emission reduction efforts, the direct roles of grassroots organizations have not yet been explored in a mixed methods design. We find that cities with more local grassroots organizations and multi-level organizations tend to see fewer emissions over time, a compelling endorsement of civil society efforts to avert climate change. This study aims to build a theory on what kinds of environmental NGOs promote climate change mitigation.