China is taking a monumental step towards a greener future with the unveiling of a draft for its first-ever environmental code. Presented to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on Sunday, this comprehensive draft aims to bolster the nation’s commitment to ecological conservation and sustainable development.
The draft code, consisting of 1,188 articles across five chapters, addresses key areas such as pollution prevention, ecological protection, and green, low-carbon development. Once adopted, it will become China’s second formal statutory code after the Civil Code introduced in 2020.
“The compilation of this code signifies a systematic integration of environmental legislation,” said Wang Canfa, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law. “It fills gaps in the legal framework and elevates the authority of eco-environmental laws, making enforcement more streamlined.”
China has long prioritized green development, emerging as a global leader in improving air quality and expanding forest resources. Recent years have seen significant improvements in air quality, with the average concentration of PM2.5 particles in major cities decreasing notably. The nation also boasts the world’s largest human-made forest area, with millions of hectares of trees planted annually.
Despite these advancements, the journey towards ecological conservation is at a critical juncture. “The mission to build a Beautiful China and achieve modernization in harmony with nature requires significant and sustained efforts,” remarked Shen Chunyao, director of the NPC Standing Committee’s Legislative Affairs Commission.
The draft code outlines China’s overarching goals for green and low-carbon development. It emphasizes principles related to climate change, carbon peaking, and neutrality targets, considering both international commitments and domestic needs. The code also highlights China’s dedication to international cooperation on climate change, aiming to play a pivotal role in global climate governance.
“Addressing climate change is a global challenge,” noted Zhang Zhongmin, a professor at the Law School of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law. “This draft balances international and domestic efforts, emphasizing both mitigation and adaptation, which enhances its international influence.”
In addition to climate initiatives, the draft includes provisions for preventing and controlling pollution across various domains. It addresses air and water pollution, soil contamination, and issues related to solid waste, noise, and hazardous substances.
The ecological protection chapter underscores the importance of safeguarding diverse ecosystems. It calls for enhanced conservation of forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers, lakes, deserts, and agricultural lands, alongside major projects focused on ecosystem restoration.
“The implementation of this code will promote integrated protection of air, water, soil, and biodiversity,” Wang added. “It encourages coordinated management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts.”
Unlike some nations that may prioritize either environmental preservation or economic growth, China’s environmental law codification seeks a balanced approach. “Our goal is to harmonize economic and social development with environmental protection,” Wang explained.
Lyu Zhongmei, vice chairperson of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee, emphasized that the code is rooted in China’s unique national conditions while drawing from global best practices. “Having a dedicated chapter on green and low-carbon development is unprecedented,” she said. “It highlights the core value of our efforts to implement new development philosophies.”
Lyu also highlighted the code’s global significance: “Based on the fundamental concept of sustainable development, this code will stand as a landmark achievement in global ecological progress. It offers a legislative model for other countries and leads the way in the evolution of ecological law worldwide.”
