Recent Environmental Law and Public Participation News
Revised Shenzhen Environmental Regulations go into effect (Google translation)
The second revision of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone’s environmental regulations went into effect on January 1, drawing praise from a number of Chinese media outlets. The revised regulations promulgate several environmental principles for urban development along with more concrete requirements for information disclosure, environmental impact assessment, and environmental performance accountability. (Source: Shenzhen Evening News)
Chinese environmental legislation should focus on rural areas (Google translation)
Despite recent advances in environmental law that have established courts, imposed stricter standards, and disclosed information, rural Chinese citizens have missed out on much of these benefits, since the laws mostly focus on environmental reform in urban areas. This editorial in China Environment News calls for the same measures to be extended to rural areas, where the environmental protection infrastructure is weaker and pollution problems more pronounced. As China advances, the writer notes, its rural areas must not be left behind. (Source: China Environment News)
NPC passes Torts Act (Google translation)
On December 26, the 11th NPC Standing Committee approved the Torts Act, which will take effect on July 1, 2010. The long-demanded piece of legislation would open up a number of issues to liability suits, and, more importantly, help spur growth of the insurance industry. On the environmental front, the Torts Act holds promise for cases of environmental pollution liability and expansion of the pilot “Green Insurance” program currently being tested around China. (Source: China Insurance News)
Lead poisoning events of 2009 raise questions for China’s path of structural adjustment (Google translation)
While China has witnessed continued economic growth during a global recession, the many lead poisoning events of 2009 call into question whether the country is on the right economic path. Health and environmental standards continue to be sacrificed for economic growth. While GDP growth should remain the goal, the editorial argues, a reform plan for strict environmental accountability needs to be instituted. (Source: China High-tech Herald)
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