Ministry of Ecology and Environment Press Release: The number of environmental impact assessments has increased by 13%, with continued stringent oversight, and the “Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Environmental Impact Assessments” have been revised.

Release Date:

2023-09-27

　　On September 26, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held its regular monthly press conference. Spokesperson Liu Youbin stated that, since the beginning of this year, the Ministry has fully leveraged its functions in ecological and environmental protection by formulating and implementing the “Several Measures to Promote Stable Growth and Support High-Quality Development through Ecological and Environmental Protection,” while promptly planning and introducing new follow-up policies and measures, thereby effectively driving a sustained recovery and improvement in economic performance.
　　First, robust support has been provided for environmental impact assessment (EIA) services for major projects. By effectively leveraging the “three‑ledger” system—comprising EIA approval service lists at the national, local, and foreign‑investment levels—and the green‑channel mechanism, we have ensured end-to‑end support for major investment projects while firmly upholding ecological and environmental safeguards.
　　Second, effective investment in the ecological and environmental sector continues to expand. A comprehensive ledger of major projects in this field has been established, encompassing nearly 10,000 initiatives, with total investments exceeding RMB 600 billion. As of the end of August, approximately 330 million tons of crude steel production capacity nationwide had completed full-process ultra-low emissions upgrades, while 460 million tons of crude steel capacity had undergone key retrofitting measures, including desulfurization and denitrification for sintering and pelletizing processes and enclosure of material storage yards—accounting for 76% of the country’s total steelmaking capacity.
　　Third, the effectiveness of measures to support and relieve enterprises continues to be evident. The Measures on Administrative Penalties for Ecological and Environmental Violations have been promulgated and implemented, introducing new provisions such as exemption from penalty for first-time violations and non‑imposition of penalties in cases where there is no subjective fault, while the positive list system for ecological and environmental supervision and law enforcement has been further advanced. Meanwhile, efforts to deepen the development of the National Comprehensive Service Platform for the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements in Ecology and Environment have resulted in the identification and systematization of approximately 2,000 key technologies, helping enterprises formulate tailored solutions for pollution control.
　　Fourth, environmental policy support continues to strengthen. Targeting major regional strategies, corresponding measures for ecological and environmental protection have been introduced, fostering a hub for green development. A three-tiered system for the lawful disclosure of corporate environmental information—covering national, provincial, and municipal levels—has been essentially established, providing stakeholders with comprehensive and accurate environmental data and effectively guiding green investment. Pilot programs for the Ecology‑Oriented Development (EOD) model and climate‑related investment and financing are being steadily advanced.
　　Fifth, measures to reform and enhance quality and efficiency are being accelerated. Guidance on strengthening ecological and environmental zoning management has been promulgated, and the dynamic updating of zoning‑based management outcomes has been fully launched. Implementation standards for the approval of new, renovated, or expanded discharge outlets into rivers and lakes have been formulated and released, and local authorities have been encouraged to issue plans delineating the allocation of approval powers for the establishment of such outlets.
　　The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to ensure the effective implementation of concrete measures aimed at fostering stable growth and supporting high-quality development, advance the rollout of a series of new policies and initiatives, and help sustain the economic recovery and improvement, thereby promoting high-quality development through high-level environmental protection.
　　[Continuously advancing reforms in environmental impact assessment and pollutant discharge permitting]
　　Liu Zhiquan, Director-General of the Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Emission Management of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, stated that since the beginning of this year, we have continued to advance reforms in environmental impact assessment and pollutant discharge permitting. First, we have deepened the implementation of ecological and environmental zoning management, issuing and putting into effect the “Work Plan for the Dynamic Updating of Ecological and Environmental Zoning Management Outcomes in 2023,” and have preliminarily established information platforms at both the national and provincial levels. Second, we have promoted the full implementation of the pollutant discharge permitting system: nationwide, 3.525 million stationary pollution sources have been brought under permit-based management; the “four pillars and eight supporting structures” of the permit system have been continuously refined; quality oversight of discharge permits has been strengthened; and the technical standardization framework for discharge permitting has been steadily improved. Third, we have further optimized environmental impact assessment management by issuing and implementing the “Opinions on Further Optimizing Environmental Impact Assessment Work”; making effective use of the “three registers” and the green‑channel mechanism; and reinforcing quality supervision of EIAs.
　　[Continuously Deepening the Reform of the Pollutant Discharge Permit System]
　　Director Liu Zhiquan stated that, in recent years, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has thoroughly implemented the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee, continuously deepened the reform of the pollutant discharge permit system, and achieved significant results. The State Council has promulgated and put into effect the Regulations on the Administration of Pollutant Discharge Permits; the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued the Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Law Enforcement and Supervision of Pollutant Discharge Permits and released 161 technical specifications related to the implementation of the permit system, thereby achieving full coverage of pollutant discharge permits. Moving forward, the Ministry will remain firmly focused on the goal of improving ecological and environmental quality, emphasize the development of the core institutional framework of the pollutant discharge permit system, concentrate on “one central principle,” highlight “one overarching theme,” and deepen “four areas of innovation,” continuing to advance the reform of the pollutant discharge permit system and contributing to the building of a Beautiful China.
　　[Resolutely curb the reckless launch of “high‑carbon, high‑investment, low‑technology” projects]
　　Director Liu Zhiquan stated that in recent years, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has accelerated the green and low‑carbon transformation of development models and resolutely curbed the unchecked approval and construction of “high‑energy consumption, high‑emission, and low‑efficiency” projects. First, it has provided guidance to local authorities to enforce stringent entry‑level screening, directing ecological and environmental departments at all levels to rigorously review and approve environmental impact assessments for such projects and to promote synergistic pollution reduction and carbon mitigation. Second, it has implemented list‑based management, placing 16,000 “high‑energy consumption, high‑emission” projects under systematic oversight, regularly monitoring project progress, optimizing construction plans, and preventing illegal “construction before approval.” Third, it has standardized review criteria by progressively revising the principles governing environmental impact assessment approvals across relevant sectors, thereby strengthening requirements for scrutinizing and approving “high‑energy consumption, high‑emission” projects in those industries. Moving forward, we will continue to apply list‑based management to these projects, further strengthen guidance on their environmental impact assessment reviews, and advance the synergistic enhancement of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation.
　　[Resolutely Punish Falsification in Environmental Impact Assessments]
　　Director Liu Zhiquan stated that, in recent years, under a strict‑enforcement and heavy‑penalty regime, the quality of environmental impact assessment (EIA) documents has continued to improve, and the EIA market has become increasingly dynamic. Nevertheless, some individuals persist in violating the law, seriously disrupting market order and undermining the credibility of the EIA system. The ecological and environmental authorities have continuously strengthened the coordination between administrative enforcement and criminal justice, bringing offenders to justice. Moving forward, the ecological and environmental authorities will maintain a stringent approach, resolutely punishing falsification and fraud in EIA processes; adopt a preventive stance, issuing quarterly early warnings for abnormal professional conduct by EIA practitioners; leverage intelligent review and re‑examination tools for EIA documents to promptly identify emerging issues; and, in collaboration with human resources and social security departments, conduct regular inspections and crack down on practices such as “nominal affiliation.” At the same time, with a long‑term perspective, they will revise the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of the Preparation of Environmental Impact Reports (Forms) for Construction Projects, comprehensively strengthening oversight of EIA document quality.
　　[The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued the “Opinions on Further Optimizing Environmental Impact Assessment Work.”]
　　Director Liu Zhiquan stated that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment recently issued the “Opinions on Further Optimizing Environmental Impact Assessment Work,” which sets out key tasks in four areas: First, in terms of institutional coordination and synergy, it calls for strengthening the linkage between EIA and ecological and environmental zoning management, and advancing the integration of EIA and pollutant discharge permit approvals into a single process. Second, in deepening EIA reform, it proposes adopting a package of four reform measures. Third, in reinforcing oversight, it mandates strict adherence to environmental access thresholds, enhances targeted management of EIAs for projects with significant ecological impacts, and promotes ongoing and post‑approval supervision. Fourth, in bolstering grassroots capacity, it directs the review and streamlining of EIA approval authorities and the evaluation of their implementation, while making full use of the national technical assessment service and consultation platform for EIAs and strengthening the capacity-building of technical assessment institutions.
　　[Ensure Effective Environmental Impact Assessment Support for Major Infrastructure Projects]
　　Director Liu Zhiquan stated that the Ministry of Ecology and Environment is working diligently to provide environmental impact assessment (EIA) support for major infrastructure projects in transportation, energy, water conservancy, and hydropower. First, nationwide EIA approval data show a marked increase in both the number of approvals and the total investment involved. From January to August this year, a total of 80,900 EIA applications were approved nationwide, up 13% year on year, with total investments amounting to RMB 14.7 trillion, an increase of 9.4% over the same period last year. Second, among the major projects undergoing national-level review, progress has accelerated across key infrastructure sectors such as transportation, energy, and water conservancy–hydropower. The Ministry has reviewed and approved EIA reports for 20 major projects, involving total investments exceeding RMB 260 billion. Moving forward, the Ministry will continue to implement the “three‑ledger” system and the green‑channel mechanism for EIA approvals, promote innovation in ecological and environmental protection measures, and firmly safeguard the ecological and environmental red lines.