Conflict or Compliance?
It is extremely unlikely that awareness of environmental issues (and therefore pressure on the government to act) would have reached current levels without environmental activists. Governments, especially in plutoctratic capitalist societies such as our own, are traditionally unwilling to bring about change in areas that may limit/slow GDP growth and it is only through exercising our limited democratic rights that any change or progress has been achieved. Having said this, the government is in the best position to enforce policies once they are decided upon.
Throughout history innovation and progressive thought have not exactly been the mainstays of government, so change and 'progress' has had to be brought about by groups of people incensed or outraged enough to act. Governments, especially in apathetic 'democracies' such as our own, are trend followers rather than trend setters, run by politicians chasing votes, rather than following deeply held beliefs or innovative thought. This situation is unlikely to change when politicians are encouraged to pursue the interests of campaign contributors over the interests of their constituents.