Governments to be given added environment duty
Print Edition
Chinese governments at all levels will be given more responsibility in improving the environment, a draft amendment to the environmental protection law, tabled for its third reading yesterday, revealed.
The bill, which aims to curb China’s deteriorating environment, was submitted to the bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which runs until Friday.
Compared with the version that was tabled for the second reading in June, the latest amendment adds a clause which says that governments at all levels should increase financial input in improving the environment and preventing pollution, and use funds in a more efficient way.
It stipulates that the state should support the development of the environmental protection industry with policies and measures in finance, taxation, pricing and procurement.
The draft amendment also increases the role of environmental protection in evaluating a government’s performance.
Governments should view environmental protection work as a criterion when evaluating related departments and governments at lower levels, as well as officials in charge of subordinate authorities.
The results should be open to the public, says the draft amendment.
The draft amendment increases punishments by handing down criminal sanctions to those responsible for trying to escape supervision when having to comply with laws. Those responsible for environmental pollution accidents by producing or using pesticides that are banned by the government will also face harsher punishment.
Soil contamination is also addressed in the amendment, which says the state will establish a system to survey, monitor, evaluate and restore the soil environment.
The law has not been revised since it took effect in 1989.
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