2 - Key Institutions of Environmental Protection

Summary

Chapter 2 examines key institutions involved in the making, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, policies, regulations and plans. They are important players in the building and reform of environmental governance in China, which is a dynamic process involving interaction between the state and the civil society, and among different agencies, the procuratorates and the courts. This chapter investigates the evolving roles and functions of the people’s congress at national and local levels; the State Council and local governments; administrative agencies in charge of ecology and environment at national and local levels; other agencies involved in environmental protection and pollution control; the courts with a highlight of specialized environmental tribunals and judicial innovation to facilitate public interest litigation; the procuratorates and their new roles in environmental litigation beyond criminal prosecution; and environmental NGOs whose perseverance and commitment have made impact on public access to information and judicial redress.