ANNUAL REVIEW OF CHINESE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DEVELOPMENTS: 2019

摘要

Further legislation is expected in 2020. The Civil Code is to be adopted by the plenary meeting of the NPC, and is expected to contain a "green" principle in the volume on general provisions and to contain some specific provisions on environmental torts in the volume on tort liability. In particular, Article 9 of the draft Civil Code provides that civil subjects shall encourage the conservation of resources and the protection of ecology and environment when conducting civil activities. Articles 1229 to 1235 of the draft Civil Code provide tort liability for environmental pollution and ecological disruption. Notably, Article 1235 provides for compensation for the loss of ecological services. The 2020 legislative plan also includes the adoption of new laws such as the Law on the Promotion of Rural Development and the Law on Biological Safety, as well as revision of the Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution Caused by Solid Wastes and the Law on the Protection of Wildlife. The Law on the Promotion of Rural Development is expected to contain provisions on control of environmental problems in rural areas. The revision of the Law on the Protection of Wildlife is prompted by the COVID-19 outbreak.