By Chen Jianpeng & Gao Shiji, Research Team on “Ecological Environment Conservation in Building a Well-off Society in All Respects: Tasks and Strategies”, Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, DRC

Research Report, No.401, 2021 (Total 6466) 2021-12-20

Abstract: Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China’s ecological environment protection has witnessed historic and transitional changes across the board. During this period, binding regulations on environmental protection have been gradually formulated, ushering in a stage for rebalancing the growth between ecological and environmental conservation and economic and social development. As ecological civilization entered a new phase of synergy in pollution and carbon emissions reduction, China’s environmental regulations are facing some new issues, and efforts need to focus on better coordination between ecological and environmental protection and economic and social development. First, we need to refine the target system and accountability mechanism for environmental protection and strengthen law enforcement in a scientific and reasonable manner. Second, we need to set goals for ecological conservation in a scientific fashion and establish a mechanism for implementing and adjusting relevant binding targets step by step. Third, we need to further the environmental regulation institutional reform to improve the regulation implementation mechanism for higher efficacy and better quality of environmental regulation. Fourth, we need to establish an analysis system of environmental regulation in line with China’s national conditions so as to enhance scientific policy-making ability. Fifth, we need to push ahead with the implementation of fundamental policy tools for stronger policy synergy and ratchet up efforts to build a long-term market-based pollution and carbon emissions reduction mechanism.

Keywords: environmental regulations, regulation reform, pollution and carbon emissions reduction, the 14th Five-Year Plan