A New Environmental Protection Law, Many Old Problems? Challenges to Environmental Governance in China

• DOI: 10.1093/jel/eqw014
• Publication Date: 2016-07-12T02:51:32Z
• Authors: Bo Zhang; Cong Cao; Junzhan Gu; Ting Liu
• Keywords: Environmental Governance; Rule of Law

Through a three-year revision involving various stakeholders, China has enacted new Environmental Protection Law ( EPL ). The law seeks to harmonize economic and social development with environmental protection for the first time establishes clear requirements construction of an ecological civilization. It toughens penalties offences specific articles provisions raising public awareness. also places greater responsibility on local government enforcement China’s environment. However, many problems identified in old especially obstacles its implementation have not been fully addressed resolved. Effective governance entails only laws but mechanisms, accountability regimes, institutional arrangements. Raising status general apparatus is step meeting challenges. More efforts area will lead cleaner future.