Abstract: Environmental governance refers to a practical way to promote the modernization of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Collaborative governance among multiple social subjects is a prerequisite for the formation of an environmental governance community. Social workers, as important participants in environmental governance, can fulfill a unique role through the process of role shaping at three levels. First, on an action level, they can as companions in environmental practice to promote the development of action roles. Second, on a relationship level, they can establish resource linkages by promoting the integration role in trainings. Third, on a structural level, they can achieve the transformation of structural role through a new professional approach of social work-policy practice. Furthermore, with the help of the “three-level” role-shaping framework, this article attempts to provide different ideas for the exploration of the theory and practice of environmental social work in the local context.

Key words: environmental governance, social workers, role shaping, environmental social work