China Tightens Accountability Rules For Environmental Damage
China has tightened accountability rules for officials responsible for serious ecological and environmental damage, with those found accountable potentially facing action even after leaving their posts.
The revised framework, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, sets out the circumstances that can lead to accountability and the disciplinary measures that may follow.
The accountability system was first introduced in 2015. According to an official from the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, the rules have been updated to reflect China’s focus on high-quality development and accelerated green and low-carbon growth, along with new requirements for ecological and environmental protection.
The revised rules expand the scope of accountability beyond senior party and government officials to include senior officials at public institutions, development zones and state-owned enterprises.
Local officials who fail to effectively advance China’s targets of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060 may also be held accountable.
The authorities said accountability should be precise and evidence-based, while avoiding measures that could discourage officials from taking action or undermine public confidence in government institutions.
China has intensified its environmental protection efforts in recent years. During the second round of central ecological and environmental protection inspections conducted between May 2020 and June 2022, 3,371 people were held accountable. The third round of inspections is currently underway.
The revised rules also align with China’s Ecological and Environmental Code, which came into effect on August 15.
