The Institute for Resources and Environment Policies is a public institution directly under the DRC. Its main responsibilities are to study theories, strategies, institutions and policies for building an ecological civilization and promoting sustainable development; theories, strategies, institutions and policies for transforming the growth model and building a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly society; institutions and policies for promoting the rational development and utilization of resources and energy and safeguarding national resource and energy security; institutions and policies for strengthening environmental protection and governance and restoring natural ecosystems; institutions and policies for promoting green, circular and low-carbon development; policies and measures for advancing energy conservation and emissions reduction and addressing global climate change; institutions and policies for optimizing territorial spatial development, implementing the functional zoning strategy and protecting the marine environment. 

While ensuring completion of policy research tasks assigned by the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the DRC, the institute also provides commissioned research and consulting services to central government departments, local governments, enterprises, public institutions and social organizations, and undertakes other tasks assigned by the DRC leadership.