The Ministry of Ecology and Environment fielded questions on the “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Winning the Tough Battle Against Pollution” and on matters related to COP26.

　　On November 25, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held its regular press conference for the month. Bietao, Director-General of the Department of Laws and Standards, and Wang Kaiyu, Deputy Director-General, briefed the media on developments related to environmental laws and standards. Meanwhile, Tian Chengchuan, Deputy Director-General of the Comprehensive Department, and Lu Xinming, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Climate Change Response, respectively presented updates on the “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Winning the Tough Battle Against Pollution” and on COP26, before jointly fielding questions from reporters. The press conference was chaired by Liu Youbin, spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

　　Liu Youbin, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Ecology and Environment: Good morning, friends from the media! Welcome to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s regular press conference for November.

　　Today’s press conference is themed “Safeguarding the Ecological Environment Through the Strictest Rule of Law.” We have invited Mr. Bie Tao, Director-General of the Department of Laws and Standards at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, to present an overview of developments in ecological and environmental rule of law since the 13th Five-Year Plan period, and to join Ms. Wang Kaiyu, Deputy Director-General of the same department, in addressing questions of public concern.

　　As you may know, on November 2, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council officially issued the “Opinions on Winning the Tough Battle Against Pollution,” and on November 13, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change concluded. Given the keen interest of journalists in these two issues, today’s press conference has specially invited Mr. Tian Chengchuan, Deputy Director-General of the Comprehensive Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and Mr. Lu Xinming, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Climate Change of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, to provide briefings on the relevant developments and jointly address questions of public concern.

　　There were no key developments reported today. We will now turn to Director Bi Tao for an update.

　　Bi Tao, Director-General of the Department of Laws and Standards at the Ministry of Ecology and Environment: First of all, I am delighted to see many old friends as well as numerous new faces. On behalf of the Department of Laws and Standards, I would like to express our gratitude to all members of the media.

　　I will begin with a brief overview, primarily to review the progress made since the 13th Five-Year Plan period in the development of national ecological and environmental laws, regulations, and standards.

　　Since the 13th Five-Year Plan period, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has steadfastly emphasized the political dimension of ecological and environmental legislation and standard-setting. By closely coordinating with legislative bodies and relevant departments and pooling efforts, it has achieved significant progress in building an ecological and environmental legal and standards framework, thereby providing robust legal safeguards for winning the tough battle against pollution.

　　It is mainly manifested in five aspects:

　　First, the scale and achievements of ecological and environmental legislation are unprecedented. Since the 13th Five-Year Plan, 13 laws—including the Environmental Protection Law and the Yangtze River Protection Law—and 17 administrative regulations—such as the Regulations on the Administration of Pollutant Discharge Permits and the Regulations on the Administration of Environmental Protection for Construction Projects—have been enacted or revised. At present, there are 15 ecological and environmental laws with the competent ecological and environmental authorities serving as the primary enforcement bodies, accounting for nearly one‑twentieth of all currently effective laws. As of this month, there are 32 ecological and environmental administrative regulations. In addition, there are more than 40 Party‑internal regulations closely related to ecological and environmental matters, primarily institutional documents governing reforms of the ecological civilization system. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has also promulgated 84 departmental rules. Based on these figures, we can conclude that a basic legal and regulatory framework in the field of ecology and the environment has taken shape, and that major areas of ecological and environmental governance are now largely underpinned by law.

　　I just mentioned that this pertains solely to the national level; in addition, there are hundreds or even thousands of local regulations, local government rules, and regional environmental standards. China has ratified and acceded to more than 40 international environmental treaties, encompassing both bilateral and multilateral instruments. The Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate have issued a substantial number of judicial interpretations related to the ecological environment—covering areas such as environmental crimes, public-interest environmental litigation, and the adjudication of cases involving compensation for ecological and environmental damage—with an incomplete tally indicating over 20 such interpretations. Moreover, numerous other laws and regulations contain provisions pertaining to the ecological environment, forming an integral part of the national legal framework for ecological and environmental protection. For example, the Constitution includes provisions on ecological civilization; the Civil Code features a dedicated chapter on “Liability for Environmental Pollution and Ecological Damage”; and the Criminal Law stipulates offenses related to the destruction of environmental resources. All these constitute essential components of the ecological and environmental legal system.

　　Second, significant progress has been made in building an ecological and environmental standards system. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the former Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment formulated, revised, and issued 673 national ecological and environmental standards. The rapid pace of this expansion over five years was the fastest in the history of previous five-year plans. The total number of currently applicable national ecological and environmental standards now stands at 2,202, including 201 mandatory standards. These mandatory standards encompass environmental quality standards, pollutant emission standards, and environmental risk‑control standards; as such, they possess the characteristics of technical regulations and, in a sense, constitute an integral part of the legal framework.

　　In recent years, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has revised and promulgated the Measures for the Administration of Ecological and Environmental Standards and the Rules on the Development and Revision of National Ecological and Environmental Standards, further refining the top-level design of the ecological and environmental standards management system and clarifying the future direction of standard-setting and implementation.

　　Third, the reform of the ecological and environmental damage compensation system has been comprehensively advanced. Case‑based practice has made significant progress: as of the end of this month, more than 7,600 ecological and environmental damage compensation cases have been handled nationwide, involving compensation totaling over RMB 9 billion. These efforts have facilitated the remediation and restoration of a number of damaged ecosystems, including the high‑profile case of illegal mining at the Muli Coal Mine in Qinghai Province within the Qilian Mountains, which is being steadily pursued in accordance with national regulations.

　　The Civil Code, the Yangtze River Protection Law, and four other laws, along with the Regulations on Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspections and the measures for ecological and environmental protection inspections adopted by 13 provincial-level authorities, as well as 19 provincial-level local environmental protection regulations, all provide for an ecological and environmental damage compensation system.

　　Fourth, Party regulations and normative documents have played a crucial guiding role. A series of Party‑related ecological and environmental regulations—such as the Regulations on Central Ecological and Environmental Inspection and the Measures for Holding Party and Government Leading Cadres Accountable for Ecological and Environmental Responsibilities—have been successively formulated or revised, demonstrating rapid development and constituting a highly dynamic component of the legal system that deserves particular attention. These measures have not only strengthened the political accountability for building an ecological civilization and advancing ecological and environmental protection but have also significantly advanced the rule of law in the country’s ecological and environmental governance.

　　Fifth, pollution control is now guided by law and follows established procedures. As you know, in recent years, the central authorities have emphasized scientific, precise, and law-based approaches to pollution prevention and control. The CPC Central Committee has successively issued a series of documents on comprehensively advancing the rule of law in China, covering areas such as a law-based country, a law-based government, a law-based culture, and a law-based society. In line with its own responsibilities, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has earnestly implemented these directives, focusing closely on deepening study of Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization and Xi Jinping’s Thought on the Rule of Law. Recently, it released the “Guiding Opinions on Deepening Law-Based Administration in the Field of Ecological and Environmental Protection and Continuously Strengthening Law-Based Pollution Control,” which serves as a comprehensive document for advancing law-based pollution control across the ecological and environmental protection system.

　　Going forward, in line with the overall planning and deployment for national ecological and environmental protection during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we will mobilize the nationwide ecological and environmental protection system to comprehensively strengthen relevant laws, regulations, and operational efforts, thereby providing robust support for achieving synergistic efficiency and winning the tough battle against pollution.

　　Tian Chengchuan, Deputy Director-General of the Comprehensive Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment: Distinguished media colleagues, good morning! It is a great pleasure to attend today’s press conference. Now, I would like to briefly outline the background behind the issuance of the “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Winning the Tough Battle Against Pollution.”

　　Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee has tackled ecological progress with unprecedented resolve. The entire Party and the nation have demonstrated markedly greater awareness and initiative in advancing green development; the phased goals and tasks of the tough battle against pollution have been successfully accomplished; and significant strides have been made in building a Beautiful China. As a result, China’s ecological and environmental protection has undergone historic, transformative, and systemic changes. Deepening and winning the tough battle against pollution is a major strategic decision taken by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, in response to the new tasks and requirements of ecological progress in China’s new stage of development.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to consolidate the achievements of the tough battle against pollution and to wage a more vigorous campaign to safeguard blue skies, clean waters, and uncontaminated soil, all while upholding even higher standards. In accordance with central directives, since February this year, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with relevant departments, has actively advanced the drafting of the “Opinions.” On August 30, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the 21st meeting of the Central Commission for Comprehensively Deepening Reform, which reviewed and approved the “Opinions.” On November 2, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council issued the “Opinions.” This underscores the consistent high priority that the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, attaches to ecological progress and environmental protection; it fully demonstrates our Party’s strategic resolve and firm determination to build a beautiful China in harmony with nature, while also responding positively to the ardent aspirations of the people for a higher‑quality life following the completion of the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The promulgation of the “Opinions” is of great significance for accelerating the resolution of pressing ecological and environmental issues, continuously improving environmental quality, and achieving the objectives of building a Beautiful China.

　　The “Opinions” implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization, deeply grasp the new tasks and requirements that the new stage of development, the comprehensive, accurate, and holistic implementation of the new development philosophy, and the establishment of the new development paradigm pose for ecological and environmental protection work, and lay out a comprehensive plan for winning the tough battle against pollution. To fully understand and appreciate the essence of the “Opinions,” it is crucial to firmly uphold the “Four Persistences.”

　　First, we must uphold the development philosophy of putting the people at the center. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that a sound environment is essential to people’s well-being; green mountains are beauty, and blue skies bring happiness. He has also reminded us that the people’s aspiration for a better life is precisely the goal we strive to achieve. A beautiful ecological environment is, of course, an important component of that better life. When the people have concerns, the government must respond. The Opinions call for a problem‑oriented approach, ensuring that environmental protection serves the people, placing the most pressing ecological and environmental issues—those that the public strongly voices—high on the agenda, and working tirelessly to resolve them. By delivering tangible results in ecological and environmental protection, we will win the trust of the people and enhance their well‑being through a healthy environment.

　　Second, we must steadfastly take achieving synergistic efficiency in pollution reduction and carbon mitigation as our overarching guiding principle. The Opinions call for adhering to a systems‑based approach and pursuing synergistic benefits, focusing on key industries and sectors where the co‑benefits of pollution reduction and carbon mitigation are particularly pronounced, and promoting a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

　　Third, we will remain committed to improving ecological and environmental quality as the central task. The Opinions set out key targets for enhancing ecological and environmental quality by 2025 and 2035, focusing on both the “best” and “worst” outcomes while driving overall progress. We will sustain the intensity of pollution prevention and control efforts, continuously improve ecosystem health, and ensure that improvements in ecological and environmental quality shift from quantitative gains to qualitative leaps.

　　Fourth, we will adhere to the guiding principles of precise pollution control, science-based pollution control, and law-based pollution control. These “three approaches to pollution control” constitute the overarching framework and fundamental basis for advancing the tough battle against pollution. The Opinions call for tailored, evidence‑based measures that are adapted to local conditions, the implementation of the strictest possible regulatory systems, and the enhancement of the targeted, scientific, and effective nature of pollution‑control efforts.

　　It should be said that winning the tough battle against pollution is a major, arduous, and challenging undertaking, and achieving a fundamental improvement in the ecological environment will likewise require sustained, hard‑working efforts over the long term. As the principal department responsible for this critical campaign, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will, in the next phase, earnestly study and implement the “Opinions,” proactively fulfill its duties, and fully leverage its role in overall leadership and coordinated planning. We will meticulously break down goals and tasks, promptly formulate action plans for landmark campaigns, and ensure that all measures are thoroughly conceived, carefully planned, and effectively carried out. We are confident that, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, by maintaining the tenacity to “clutch the green mountains without letting go” and the determination to “not return until Loulan is conquered,” while addressing both symptoms and root causes and overcoming formidable challenges, we will surely realize, on schedule, a beautiful China characterized by blue skies and white clouds, twinkling stars, clear waters and verdant banks, and fish swimming gracefully in shallow streams. Thank you all!

　　Lu Xinming, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment: Good morning,各位 media friends! Thank you for your longstanding support of climate‑change mitigation efforts. As the moderator just mentioned, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26), held in Glasgow, UK, concluded late on the night of November 13, local time, after nearly 30 hours of overtime.

　　After successfully completing all its tasks, the Chinese delegation returned to Beijing in the early hours of November 16. In accordance with COVID‑19 prevention and control measures, it is currently undergoing centralized quarantine at a designated hotel and is therefore unable to attend this press conference in person. I will now provide a brief overview of the relevant developments from the conference.

　　COP26 was the first Conference of the Parties held after the Paris Agreement entered its implementation phase. The conference adopted more than 50 decisions on the implementation and governance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, its Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. Among these, Decision 1—the Glasgow Climate Pact—served as the political outcome document, underscoring the urgency of the climate crisis and emphasizing the need for all parties to raise their ambition and accelerate action over the next decade. The conference also concluded negotiations on outstanding issues related to the Paris Agreement’s rules of procedure, marking its most significant and emblematic achievement. In addition, progress was made on key topics such as the Global Adaptation Goal, loss and damage, finance, technology, and capacity-building. The successful conclusion of COP26 has ushered in a new chapter in the global response to climate change.

　　The Chinese government has long attached great importance to the issue of global climate change and has consistently engaged in international climate negotiations with a highly responsible attitude. During this conference, under the leadership and guidance of Xie Zhenhua, Special Representative of President Xi Jinping, China’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, and advisor to the Chinese delegation, as well as Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and head of the Chinese delegation, the Chinese delegation actively participated in negotiations and consultations on all agenda items and strengthened dialogue and exchanges with all parties. In particular, at a critical juncture of the conference, China creatively joined forces with the United States to issue the “China–U.S. Joint Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s,” pledging to continue working together and, alongside all stakeholders, to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Following its release, media coverage described the declaration in a single word: “shocking.” The China–U.S. joint declaration demonstrated the pragmatic cooperation and shared ambition of both sides, conveyed positive energy, and bolstered confidence in the success of COP26, playing a pivotal role in ensuring the conference’s outcome.

　　The Chinese delegation firmly advocates that all parties uphold the objectives and requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement, implement principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities, and adhere to the institutional arrangements for nationally determined contributions. It calls on developed countries to further honor their commitments and step up support for developing countries, thereby contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the conference and projecting the image of a responsible major country.

　　Going forward, all parties must implement the Paris Agreement in a comprehensive, balanced, and effective manner. Guided by the principles of equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and respective capabilities, and taking into account the specific national circumstances of each country, they should take robust actions to address the climate crisis proactively. China will, as always, uphold multilateralism and advance multilateral processes. Through South–South cooperation and the joint development of a green Belt and Road, China will vigorously support the green and low‑carbon energy transition in developing countries. It will continue to implement its national strategy for actively addressing climate change, steadfastly pursue a green and low‑carbon transformation, and ensure the successful realization of its carbon‑peak and carbon‑neutral goals. Thank you all.

　　Liu Youbin: Now, please feel free to ask your questions.

　　First Financial Reporter: Director-General Bi Taotao, could you please provide a detailed overview of the laws and regulations that are planned to be promulgated and implemented in the field of ecological environment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and what key issues they aim to address? Thank you.

　　Bie Tao: Thank you!

　　Earlier, in my opening remarks, I briefly reviewed the progress of legislative work during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. As for environmental and ecological legislation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, we are currently in the planning stages.

　　The 14th Five-Year Plan places great emphasis on ecological and environmental protection and related legislative efforts. The plan dedicates a separate section to “promoting green development and fostering harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature,” outlining provisions on ecological and environmental protection and calling for the improvement of overarching coordination mechanisms in the field of ecological civilization, the establishment of an ecological civilization system, the advancement of a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and the building of a Beautiful China. In terms of legislation, the plan explicitly stipulates the formulation and implementation of regulations on ecological compensation and the strengthening of legal and policy safeguards for green development.

　　During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to comprehensively and thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization and Xi Jinping’s Thought on the Rule of Law, further strengthen ecological and environmental legislation, and provide more comprehensive and robust legal safeguards for winning the tough battle against pollution.

　　First, we will strengthen legislation in key areas to fill existing legislative gaps. As planned, we will advance the formulation and revision of laws and regulations on critical issues such as Yellow River protection, noise pollution prevention and control, marine environmental protection, environmental impact assessment, climate change response, ecological and environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and the prevention and control of electromagnetic radiation pollution, thereby accelerating the establishment of a legal and regulatory framework for ecological civilization that aligns with the goals of building a Beautiful China.

　　Second, we will vigorously advance legislation related to the reform of the ecological civilization system. We will strengthen legal frameworks in areas such as compensation for ecological and environmental damage, natural protected areas, ecological conservation redlines, and environmental protection credit evaluation, ensuring that major reform measures are grounded in law and deliver tangible results. We will also actively promote regional legislation on ecological and environmental protection.

　　Third, in coordination with the legislative authorities, we will actively conduct research and feasibility studies on the codification of environmental law, scientifically integrate legislation in the field of ecological and environmental protection, and establish an institutional framework for ecological and environmental conservation that ensures rigorous prevention at the source, stringent oversight throughout the process, and severe penalties for adverse consequences, thereby advancing the modernization of the environmental governance system and governance capacity.

　　Fourth, we will refine the system of stringent penalties and heavy sanctions. In accordance with General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on “severely punishing and imposing heavy penalties for ecological and environmental violations,” we will further improve the legal liabilities for such violations. We will actively promote the coordinated application of administrative, criminal, and civil liabilities, establishing a liability framework that places administrative responsibility at the forefront while complementing it with criminal and civil accountability. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen the principal responsibility of enterprises and public institutions in protecting the ecological environment. Moreover, we will innovate approaches to assuming legal liability, systematically expanding the scope of enforcement mechanisms such as the dual‑penalty system, daily fines, and credit‑based sanctions, and proactively explore new forms of legal accountability, including ecological restoration and joint and several compensation.

　　This is the fundamental consideration for the next step in ecological and environmental legislation. Thank you.

　　Southern Metropolis Daily reporter: I’d like to ask, since the implementation of the ecological and environmental damage compensation reform system more than three years ago, how have localities been carrying it out, and what lessons have been learned in the legislative process? Thank you.

　　Bie Tao: Thank you for your attention to the ecological and environmental damage compensation system.

　　The ecological and environmental damage compensation system has a longer history. Initiated by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in 2015, it was first piloted on a partial local basis in seven provinces and municipalities nationwide in 2016, and then rolled out nationwide on a trial basis starting in 2018. In accordance with the central government’s requirements for the pilot program on the ecological damage compensation system, efforts were made to establish, by 2020, a preliminary framework for such a system.

　　Over the more than five years since the launch of the reform pilot program and its subsequent full-scale implementation, all localities and departments have earnestly carried out the reform directives issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. As a result, an ecological and environmental damage compensation system has been preliminarily established—characterized by clearly defined responsibilities, smooth procedural channels, standardized technical protocols, robust safeguards, adequate compensation, and effective restoration. This system has yielded significant results in advancing national and local legislation, standardizing litigation procedures, improving technical and financial support mechanisms, conducting practical case studies on damage compensation, and promoting the restoration of degraded ecosystems. In accordance with the reform plan’s arrangements, we believe that the phased objectives have been achieved and have reported our findings to the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

　　This reform represents a new endeavor for ecological and environmental authorities and introduces an entirely new framework of accountability under the legal system. All provinces have established leading groups for the reform, chaired by provincial-level officials, clearly delineating the responsibilities of relevant functional departments. A preliminary communication and coordination mechanism has been put in place, fostering information sharing and mutual support among agencies, thereby jointly advancing the orderly implementation of the reform across localities.

　　Provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps have all formulated provincial-level implementation plans. Across the country, 388 prefecture-level cities—including districts and counties under direct-administered municipalities such as Beijing and Chongqing—have issued their own implementation plans, clearly defining the roadmap for progress and delineating responsibilities. Local authorities have also developed a total of 327 supporting documents addressing consultation on compensation disputes, investigation, appraisal and assessment, as well as the use, management, and oversight of compensation funds. Furthermore, local governments have rigorously pursued accountability for ecological and environmental damage, seeking to address the shortcomings of administrative penalties and administrative liability, and striving to rectify the unjust situation in which enterprises pollute, local communities suffer, and ultimately the government bears the cost. These measures are aimed at earnestly implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s call to safeguard the ecological environment with the strictest systems and the most robust rule of law.

　　Across the country, efforts to advance this work have relied heavily on case‑based practices as a key lever for driving reform and promptly restoring damaged ecosystems. According to our monitoring, by the end of this month, more than 7,600 ecological and environmental damage compensation cases had been handled nationwide, involving compensation totaling over RMB 9 billion. These efforts have facilitated the effective restoration of numerous degraded ecosystems, including soils, groundwater, farmland, forestland, grasslands, mining areas, and prairies. As mentioned earlier, the restoration of the Qilian Mountain mining area is currently underway; local authorities have outlined a three‑year plan, and we invite all stakeholders to revisit in three years to conduct follow‑up and oversight—steps we will closely monitor.

　　In the areas of institutional development and legislation related to compensation for ecological and environmental damage, since the launch of the reform pilot program, the ecological and environmental authorities, in collaboration with the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the Ministry of Justice, and other relevant State Council departments, have actively advanced national and local legislative efforts, standardized litigation procedures, refined technical standards, and improved mechanisms for the management and use of compensation funds, thereby laying a practical foundation for the enactment of laws on ecological and environmental damage compensation.

　　There are several specific manifestations in the legislative sphere:

　　First, there are the provisions of domestic law. The Civil Code, adopted in May last year, together with five specialized laws, all establish a liability regime for compensation for ecological and environmental damage. Notably, the Civil Code contains specific provisions on this matter, which is quite rare. It explicitly stipulates that state‑designated authorities—including relevant administrative agencies and the procuratorial organs, as well as other legally authorized entities—are empowered to bring claims for ecological and environmental damage, and it defines the scope of such compensation. By enshrining the outcomes of reform within national legislation, these provisions provide substantive legal safeguards for the system of compensation for ecological and environmental damage.

　　Around the time of last year’s Spring Festival, while urgently coordinating to address the tailings‑pond leakage incident in Yichun, Heilongjiang, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment simultaneously advanced efforts to secure evidence, assess damages, conduct compensation negotiations, and ensure litigation safeguards. In addition to the Civil Code, other relevant laws—such as the Yangtze River Protection Law, the Forest Law, the Soil Pollution Prevention and Control Law, and the Law on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Waste—also contain provisions governing compensation for ecological and environmental damage.

　　Second, there are provisions set forth in Party regulations. In 2019, the CPC Central Committee formulated and issued the Regulations on the Work of Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Inspection, which constitutes a standard Party‑level regulation on ecological and environmental protection. Article 24 of these Regulations explicitly stipulates that, when inspections reveal cases requiring compensation for ecological and environmental damage, the inspection team shall refer such matters to the provincial‑level government for pursuing claims in accordance with relevant provisions. Furthermore, among the ecological and environmental inspection measures adopted by 13 provincial-level authorities—including Jilin, Xinjiang, and Anhui—specific mechanisms have been established to ensure seamless coordination between inspection activities and the pursuit of compensation for ecological damage. Since the second round of central environmental protection inspections, typical cases have been publicly disclosed; in these cases, where ecological and environmental harm has occurred, compensation, consultation, and litigation have all been pursued concurrently.

　　Third, some local legislations have also established mechanisms for compensating ecological and environmental damage. To date, we have identified 19 provinces—including Shanghai, Hebei, and Anhui—that have explicitly incorporated such compensation mechanisms into their local environmental protection laws. For instance, Article 90 of Shanghai’s Environmental Protection Ordinance stipulates that any entity or individual discharging pollutants who violates relevant laws and regulations shall, in addition to bearing the corresponding administrative liabilities under the law, also assume liability for compensating ecological and environmental damage if their actions result in ecological harm or degradation. This approach effectively integrates the central government’s reform agenda on ecological and environmental protection into local legislation.

　　Fourth, judicial interpretations have clarified the rules governing litigation. We particularly commend the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate for their strong support of this work. In June 2019, the Supreme People’s Court issued the “Several Provisions on the Trial of Cases Involving Compensation for Ecological and Environmental Damage (Trial Implementation),” which provides clear guidance on such issues as the conditions for accepting cases, evidentiary rules, the scope of liability, procedural coordination, judicial confirmation of compensation agreements, and compulsory enforcement.

　　Let me briefly explain this mechanism: when administrative authorities, in the course of performing their duties, identify damage to the ecological environment, they may, in addition to pursuing administrative accountability, seek compensation on behalf of the public interest, the national interest, or the broader community. The process begins with amicable consultations; if an agreement is reached, it is submitted to the court for confirmation and enforcement. If no agreement is reached, the matter proceeds directly to the courts for resolution through litigation.

　　In 2021, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate issued the “Rules on Handling Public Interest Litigation Cases by People’s Procuratorates (Trial Implementation).” As far as we know, among the public interest litigation cases handled by the procuratorial organs, those involving the ecological environment constitute a substantial and highly significant share. The Rules promulgated by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate set forth clear and specific provisions governing the handling of both ecological and environmental damage compensation cases and public interest litigation cases.

　　Fifth, with regard to the management of funds: Following consultations in ecological and environmental damage compensation cases, the amounts involved are often substantial. Accordingly, specific rules are needed to govern fund management and ensure effective oversight. In March 2020, nine departments, including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, jointly issued the Measures for the Administration of Funds for Ecological and Environmental Damage Compensation, which sets out detailed provisions on the payment, use, and supervision of such funds. This reflects both the practical experience and the legislative framework governing ecological and environmental damage compensation; it is provided for your reference. Thank you.

　　Poster News Reporter: In recent years, China has essentially established a comprehensive environmental legislative framework. Could you please provide an update on the progress of this work and explain the significance of compiling an Environmental Code? Thank you.

　　Bie Tao: In March 2020, the National People’s Congress deliberated and adopted the Civil Code. In October, General Secretary Xi Jinping, at the Central Conference on Comprehensively Promoting the Rule of Law, stated, “We should draw on the experience gained in compiling the Civil Code and, when conditions are ripe, advance the codification of laws in legislative areas where such efforts are feasible.” In January 2021, the CPC Central Committee issued the Plan for Building a Law-Based China (2020–2025), which likewise called for “undertaking the codification of laws in administrative legislative fields where multiple statutes currently exist, once the necessary conditions have matured.” From the practical experience of the Civil Code to the General Secretary’s remarks and to the centrally issued Plan for Building a Law-Based China, all have endorsed a legislative model centered on codification. We believe—based also on discussions with relevant experts—that the field of ecological environment is among the most suitable areas for embarking on codification. The Legislative Work Plan of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for 2021 explicitly stipulates that it will “study and initiate the codification of laws in administrative legislative areas where conditions are ripe, including an Environmental Code, an Education Code, and a Basic Administrative Code.”

　　The codification of environmental law is an essential requirement for fully implementing Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization and Xi Jinping’s Thought on the Rule of Law. It will help to fully highlight the achievements of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics and prominently showcase China’s legislative accomplishments in the field of ecological and environmental protection. A scientifically structured, rigorously organized, reasonably standardized, comprehensively comprehensive, and internally consistent environmental code will serve as a foundational, overarching statute that underpins the modernization of the environmental governance system and governance capacity, thereby contributing to the integration and refinement of the existing ecological and environmental legal framework and further elevating the rule-of-law-based governance of China’s environment.

　　The Ministry of Ecology and Environment is actively collaborating with the legislative authorities to conduct preliminary research and feasibility studies for the codification of environmental law, systematically reviewing relevant institutional frameworks. On this basis, it is putting forward legislative proposals from the perspective of the competent departments, thereby providing robust professional support for the drafting of the environmental code.

　　China News Service reporter: Could you please explain the differences between the “decisive battle” to win the fight against pollution during the 13th Five-Year Plan period and the “in-depth battle” during the 14th Five-Year Plan period? What are the distinctions in approach and strategy, and what key challenges and bottlenecks need to be overcome? Thank you.

　　Tian Chengchuan: Thank you for your question; it’s one that many people are concerned about.

　　Resolutely winning the tough battle against pollution was a major decision adopted at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Thanks to the concerted efforts of all regions and departments, China has achieved historic, landmark progress in ecological and environmental protection. The measures taken to combat pollution have been unprecedented in their practicality, scale, and effectiveness; the phased goals and tasks of this critical campaign have been successfully accomplished, leading to a marked improvement in the environment and laying a solid green foundation and enhancing the quality of our efforts to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects. At the same time, we must recognize that the structural, root‑cause, and trend‑driven pressures on ecological and environmental protection have yet to be fundamentally alleviated. In particular, pollution problems in key regions and priority sectors remain acute, and the tasks of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality are formidable, underscoring that there is still a long way to go in safeguarding our environment.

　　The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee adopted a strategic plan to wage a more thorough and sustained battle against pollution. Moving from the resolute fight against pollution during the 13th Five-Year Plan period to the in-depth, sustained effort under the 14th Five-Year Plan signifies that this campaign now addresses deeper‑rooted contradictions and broader‑ranging issues, while also raising the bar for implementation.

　　Building on the lessons and practices gained from the tough battle against pollution during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the Opinions, in light of the new tasks and requirements of the 14th Five-Year Plan, call for maintaining momentum, deepening efforts, and broadening scope—fighting the battles to safeguard blue skies, clean waters, and uncontaminated soil to even higher standards, and leveraging high‑level environmental protection to drive high‑quality development and enhance the quality of life.

　　In terms of methodology and strategy, the Opinions articulate four “further” requirements. First, further optimize the approach to tackling key challenges by upholding the principle of synergistic efficiency in pollution reduction and carbon mitigation, prioritizing carbon reduction as a strategic priority, deepening efforts to peak carbon emissions, accelerating structural adjustments in energy, industry, and transportation, strengthening ecological and environmental zoning management, and placing greater emphasis on integrated, systemic, and source‑level governance. Second, further broaden the scope of these efforts. Centered on the campaigns to safeguard blue skies, clean waters, and uncontaminated land, the Opinions outline and implement eight landmark initiatives, including the elimination of severe pollution episodes, while reinforcing governance in broader areas such as climate change response, biodiversity conservation, and emerging pollutants. Third, further extend the reach of these efforts by pushing environmental governance down to administrative levels below prefecture‑level cities and to the grassroots, designating major national strategic regions as the primary frontlines for the battle against pollution. Fourth, further strengthen the measures employed, comprehensively leveraging administrative, market‑based, legal, and technological tools, bolstering policy support, and fostering a holistic framework for environmental protection.

　　With regard to the key challenges you just mentioned, the “Opinions” focus on pressing forward with targeted efforts in priority areas and critical links.

　　First, we will strengthen the coordinated control of PM2.5 and ozone pollution and wage a sustained battle to safeguard blue skies. While continuing to advance PM2.5 prevention and control, we will swiftly address shortcomings in ozone‑pollution management, vigorously promote the joint reduction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, essentially eliminate severe pollution episodes, and effectively curb the rising trend in ozone concentrations. Second, we will enhance integrated management of water resources and foster coordinated land–sea efforts, thereby waging a thorough campaign to protect clean waters. While consolidating and improving the aquatic environment, we will increase ecological water supplies and improve aquatic ecosystems, virtually eliminate black and malodorous urban water bodies, deepen ecological protection and restoration in key river basins such as the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, implement comprehensive governance of priority sea areas, and build beautiful rivers, lakes, and bays. Third, we will reinforce risk management and control of soil pollution, launching a robust campaign to safeguard clean soil. We will intensify efforts to prevent and mitigate soil contamination on agricultural land and ensure its safe use, effectively manage soil pollution risks on construction sites, and enhance our capacity to handle solid waste and emerging pollutants, thus ensuring the safety of agricultural products and the health of living environments. At the same time, the Opinions call for concerted efforts to advance synergistic pollution reduction and carbon‑emission cuts, as well as to expand pollution‑reduction capacity, thereby firmly safeguarding ecological and environmental security. Thank you.

　　Daily Economic News Reporter: The Opinions on Deepening and Winning the Battle Against Pollution stipulate that we should advance coordinated legislation in key regions and explore ways to strengthen inter‑regional law enforcement cooperation. Regions such as the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area and the Yangtze River Delta have long been piloting coordinated legislative initiatives. Could you please share what lessons and experiences have been gained, and what considerations guide our next steps in furthering this effort? Thank you.

　　Bie Tao: Environmental and ecological issues—whether related to water or air—exhibit distinct regional characteristics, necessitating the adoption of tailored legislative measures. This approach underpins the fundamental logic of regional collaborative governance, including coordinated legislation. Collaborative governance of environmental and ecological challenges is of great significance for addressing pressing environmental problems, strengthening ecological conservation, improving the environmental regulatory framework, and advancing green development.

　　Environmental protection laws, the Law on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution, and other ecological and environmental statutes contain clear provisions on regional coordination and joint prevention and control. For example, the Environmental Protection Law stipulates that “the State shall establish a coordinated mechanism for the joint prevention and control of environmental pollution and ecological damage in key regions and river basins spanning multiple administrative areas, implementing unified planning, unified standards, unified monitoring, and unified preventive and control measures.” When the Law on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution was revised in 2015, a dedicated chapter on “Joint Prevention and Control of Air Pollution in Key Areas” was added, setting forth provisions on the designation of key air‑pollution control zones, the formulation of joint action plans, the adoption of stricter and more uniform regional environmental requirements, inter‑agency consultations on environmental impact assessments, the sharing of environmental monitoring data, the reduction and substitution of coal use, and cross‑administrative law enforcement. The Law on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution provides that provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government may, through consultation, establish mechanisms for joint prevention and control of solid waste‑related environmental pollution across administrative boundaries, as well as coordinate planning, facility construction, and the transfer of solid waste. The 14th Five-Year Plan likewise explicitly calls for strengthening the synergistic control of multiple pollutants and regionally coordinated governance.

　　In practice, the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and several other areas have also undertaken proactive explorations and implementations in collaborative legislation and environmental regulation. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region has established a coordinated mechanism for legislative projects among its people’s congresses, adopting a “one‑party drafting, two‑party participation” approach. This working model has yielded significant results in areas such as motor vehicle pollution prevention and control, the comprehensive utilization of agricultural waste and the prohibition of open burning, and ensuring air quality during the Winter Olympics. In the Yangtze River Delta, the three provinces and one municipality have likewise engaged in collaborative legislative efforts to safeguard air pollution control and ecological protection in the Yangtze River Basin. Meanwhile, the Southwest region has carried out collaborative legislation in the Chishui River Basin, among other initiatives.

　　The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to proactively support and facilitate relevant localities in advancing coordinated legislation for key regions and river basins, thereby driving greater breakthroughs and progress in integrated governance across pollution prevention, ecological conservation, and other related areas. We will work to guide and assist local ecological and environmental authorities in fulfilling the requirements and procedures set forth by the legislative bodies, leveraging their respective mandates to take decisive action. In particular, we will play an active role in coordinating legislative planning and alignment, sharing information and resources, and organizing joint research, drafting, and expert consultations.

　　Earlier, we discussed both experience and lessons learned; in my view, the former outweighs the latter. Take the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region as an example: since the 13th Five-Year Plan period—and indeed since the implementation of the previous “Ten Measures for Air Quality”—the region has seen marked improvements in environmental quality, thanks in no small part to coordinated governance and robust legislative efforts. Next, I will share some insights from the perspective of collaborative legislation.

　　The first lesson is the coordinated legislative approach to motor vehicle pollution prevention and control in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. In January 2020, the Third Session of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress adopted the Regulations of the Municipality of Beijing on the Prevention and Control of Emissions from Motor Vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery. At the same time, Tianjin and Hebei Province also enacted regulations addressing the prevention and control of emissions from motor vehicles and non-road mobile machinery. These three sets of regulations exhibit a high degree of consistency in terms of content, measures, and standards. Each regulation includes dedicated chapters that stipulate regional joint prevention and control, inter‑regional consultations, joint law enforcement, the establishment of an information‑sharing platform, the implementation of a random inspection mechanism for new vehicles, and the coordinated registration system for non‑road mobile machinery.

　　At the same time, in order to respect the actual conditions of local economic development, each regulation has also retained its own distinctive features.

　　Second, there is coordinated legislative action for the protection of the Chishui River Basin. This year, the standing committees of the people’s congresses of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces respectively deliberated and adopted the “Decision on Strengthening Joint Protection of the Chishui River Basin,” while also enacting their own respective regulations on the protection of the Chishui River Basin, which entered into force simultaneously on July 1. Thanks to coordination among the three localities and impetus from central authorities, the approach adopted—“regulations plus a joint decision”—represents an innovative model of local legislation, providing robust legal safeguards for the basin’s collaborative governance. The tri‑provincial joint legislation to protect the Chishui River not only aligns with the need for top‑down coordination and shared governance and benefits, but also constitutes an exploratory practice in innovative legislation and law enforcement oversight, warranting our continued monitoring, observation, and systematic summarization.

　　Third, the Yangtze River Basin has seen coordinated legislative efforts among the cities and provinces of the Yangtze River Delta. Since the beginning of this year, the standing committees of the people’s congresses of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui have each adopted relevant decisions to promote and ensure the implementation of the ban on fishing in the Yangtze River Basin. These four local decisions exhibit a high degree of consistency in their key provisions, fundamental principles, implementation mechanisms, and supporting measures. Through coordinated legislation and joint enforcement, they provide robust legal safeguards for strengthening the ban on fishing in the Yangtze River Basin. We will closely monitor and support these efforts.

　　Red Star News Reporter: My question is this: What kind of feedback has China’s submission of the “Report on China’s Implementation of Its Nationally Determined Contributions and New Goals and Initiatives” and the “China’s Long-Term Low‑Emission Development Strategy for Mid‑Century” received from the international community? What are the areas of consensus and disagreement among the parties at this climate change conference, and how does China view them? Thank you.

　　Lu Xinming: Thank you for the question, esteemed journalist.

　　Ahead of COP26, China formally submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change both the “Report on China’s Implementation of Its Nationally Determined Contributions and New Goals and Initiatives” and the “China’s Long-Term Low‑Carbon Development Strategy for Mid-Century.” These documents represent concrete steps taken by China to fulfill its commitments under the Paris Agreement, demonstrating the country’s determination and efforts to advance green, low‑carbon development and to address global climate change, and have been commended by the international community.

　　During the conference, Parties engaged in consultations and negotiations on nearly one hundred issues, holding dialogues and exchanges on matters such as ambition and mitigation efforts, common but differentiated responsibilities and equity, national determination versus top-down approaches, and actions versus support. Notably, significant differences persisted among Parties regarding how to balance ambition across mitigation, adaptation, and finance. After nearly 30 hours of additional deliberations, the conference concluded, adopting more than 50 decisions on the implementation and governance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, its Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement. Among these was Decision 1, the “Glasgow Climate Pact,” which reaffirmed commitment to multilateralism, underscored the urgency of the climate crisis, and set out specific arrangements for adaptation, adaptation finance, mitigation, finance, technology transfer, capacity-building, loss and damage, implementation, and cooperation. The conference also resolved outstanding issues related to the Paris Agreement’s rules of procedure, clarifying guidelines on Article 6—covering both market‑based and non‑market‑based mechanisms—as well as transparency and a common time frame for Nationally Determined Contributions. Furthermore, progress was made on issues of concern to developing countries, including adaptation, finance, and loss and damage. The conference further decided that the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC will be held in Sharm el‑Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022. China played an active and constructive role in achieving the outcomes of this conference.

　　China believes that all parties should fully and accurately understand the Paris Agreement, particularly its objectives and principles, and recognize that, in addressing climate change—especially in reducing emissions—developing and developed countries start from fundamentally different positions. It is therefore inappropriate to expect both groups to achieve carbon neutrality at the same time. Imposing uniform demands for enhanced action on all parties is neither fair nor feasible. In implementing the Paris Agreement, the international community must clearly acknowledge that “ambition” encompasses both mitigation and adaptation efforts, as well as the level of support provided. The support offered by developed countries for mitigation and adaptation should be commensurate with the mitigation and adaptation actions undertaken by developing countries. At present, the most significant obstacle hindering developing countries from taking more ambitious measures is insufficient support from developed nations. China will, as always, firmly uphold multilateralism, oppose all forms of unilateralism, take concrete actions, and continue to advance international cooperation on climate change. Thank you.

　　Pengpai News reporter: How is China implementing the relevant provisions of the China–U.S. Joint Declaration on Climate Change, particularly with regard to methane emissions? Could you please outline the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s next steps and plans? Thank you.

　　Lu Xinming: Thank you for the question, media colleagues. You’ve raised two issues: first, how to implement the China–U.S. Joint Declaration, and second, China’s Methane Action Plan. I’ll begin with your first question.

　　In the realm of bilateral cooperation with the United States, we will promptly establish a Working Group on Enhanced Climate Action for the 2020s. Each relevant department will, in line with its respective mandate, facilitate the formation of this working group, sustain exchanges on policies and technologies between China and the United States, identify areas of mutual interest and develop corresponding plans and projects, convene intergovernmental and non-governmental expert meetings, and encourage the participation of local governments, businesses, think tanks, academics, and other experts. Drawing on our respective national circumstances, we will work together—both bilaterally and with other countries—to strengthen efforts and cooperation aimed at narrowing gaps, thereby accelerating the green and low‑carbon transition and advancing climate‑related technological innovation.

　　In advancing the multilateral process, China will continue to actively promote the establishment of a global climate governance system that is fair, equitable, and based on win-win cooperation. Regardless of how the international landscape evolves, China will honor its commitments, steadfastly uphold multilateralism, and engage deeply in global climate governance, working with all parties to ensure the comprehensive, balanced, and effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will continue to leverage cooperative platforms such as the International Coalition for Green Development under the Belt and Road Initiative, and, within its capabilities, vigorously advance South–South cooperation on climate change, while coordinating with relevant departments to carry out related work.

　　Meanwhile, the recently issued “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Fully, Accurately, and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Philosophy and Doing a Good Job in Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality,” along with the State Council’s “Action Plan for Reaching Carbon Peak Before 2030” and other components of the “1+N” policy framework, as well as forthcoming implementation plans for key sectors and fields—including energy, industry, transportation, and construction—and related policies on science and technology, fiscal and tax measures, and finance, have clearly defined China’s timetable, roadmap, and supporting policy measures for achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. We will resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, promote a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and work closely with relevant departments to ensure the effective implementation of carbon‑peaking and carbon‑neutrality efforts—actions that will also significantly advance the implementation of the China–U.S. Joint Declaration.

　　The second issue concerns the Methane Action Plan. Formulating this plan as a key component of efforts to control non-CO2 greenhouse gases is an important task undertaken by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment to implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, advance the national strategy for proactively addressing climate change, and fulfill the commitments set forth in the China–U.S. Joint Declaration.

　　On April 22 this year, President Xi Jinping stated at the Leaders’ Climate Summit that China will strengthen controls over non-CO₂ greenhouse gases. The Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan further specifies that efforts to regulate methane, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and other greenhouse gases will be intensified. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China will adopt additional measures—integrated with the formulation and implementation of relevant plans and policies—to advance initiatives aimed at curbing methane emissions. These efforts will be organized around five key areas:

　　First, conduct research on methane emission control. Based on a comprehensive assessment of the current status of methane emissions in China, develop and implement effective methane‑reduction measures across key sectors—including coal mining, agriculture, municipal solid waste management, wastewater treatment, and the oil and natural gas industries—while promoting the advancement of technologies for methane recovery and emission reduction.

　　Second, we will promote the issuance of China’s Action Plan for Methane Emission Control. We will establish a policy, technological, and standards framework for methane reduction in sectors such as coal, oil and gas, and waste management; revise, when appropriate, the standards governing coalbed methane—also known as coal mine gas emissions—and strengthen their enforcement. At the same time, we will enhance methane emission control and recovery in oil and natural gas extraction, waste management, and other relevant areas; revise the Measures for the Administration of the Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Mechanism and related methodologies; and support eligible methane‑reduction projects to participate in voluntary greenhouse gas emission‑reduction trading, leveraging market mechanisms to encourage enterprises to undertake methane‑reduction initiatives.

　　Third, we will strengthen the establishment of a monitoring, accounting, reporting, and verification system for methane emissions in key sectors. We will promote the collection and analysis of methane emission data from priority facilities, conduct ongoing assessments of methane reduction outcomes in key regions and among major enterprises, and refine the reporting framework for methane-related data within the climate change statistics and reporting regime. In doing so, we will continuously enhance the quality of methane emission data.

　　Fourth, we will encourage pioneering and pilot initiatives. We will continue to promote voluntary methane emission reduction efforts in key sectors, foster collaboration among local governments and industry players on methane emissions control, establish demonstration projects and pilot programs, and advance the development of technologies, equipment, and industries related to methane utilization. This will yield multiple benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, enhanced energy and resource recovery, and synergistic control of pollutants.

　　Fifth, we will strengthen international cooperation. We will enhance collaboration and exchange with all parties in areas such as methane control policies, technologies, standard-setting frameworks, methane monitoring, accounting, reporting and verification systems, and innovations in emission-reduction technologies. Thank you.

　　People’s Daily reporter: The “Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Winning the Tough Battle Against Pollution” sets out eight landmark campaigns. Could you explain the rationale behind this approach? And how will the next steps ensure effective implementation and organization? Thank you.

　　Thank you for your question.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that to win the tough battle against pollution, we must launch several landmark, high‑profile campaigns and concentrate our efforts on addressing the most pressing ecological and environmental issues that directly affect people’s lives. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, by resolutely fighting this battle—particularly through seven landmark campaigns—we effectively resolved a large number of ecological and environmental problems that had harmed public health, significantly enhancing the people’s sense of gain in this area.

　　At the same time, we must recognize that pollution remains a pressing issue in key regions and priority sectors; severe air pollution episodes continue to occur during the autumn and winter seasons; ozone concentrations are trending upward gradually; progress in addressing black and odorous water bodies in urban areas has been substantial but falls short of achieving lasting cleanliness; and efforts to prevent and control pollution in agriculture and rural areas urgently need to be strengthened. Compared with the public’s aspirations for a better life and with the requirements for high-quality development set forth in the 14th Five-Year Plan, there is still a considerable gap in ecological and environmental quality. We must focus on the most salient problems, pool our strengths, mobilize all stakeholders, and press ahead with a series of landmark campaigns.

　　The “Opinions” uphold the principle of combining inheritance with innovation, and, in accordance with the principles of effective coordination, public concern, prioritization, attainable goals, and inter‑departmental collaboration, they lay out and implement eight landmark campaigns across three tiers.

　　First, we will continue to build on the successes of the four landmark campaigns launched during the 13th Five-Year Plan period—namely, diesel truck pollution control, remediation of black and odorous urban water bodies, protection and restoration of the Yangtze River, and pollution control in agriculture and rural areas—by setting new goals and tasks, consolidating existing achievements, and pressing ahead with persistent efforts to overcome challenges, with the aim of attaining even greater results during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

　　Second, the initiative to consolidate and expand will extend the Bohai Sea Comprehensive Governance Campaign into a Comprehensive Governance Campaign targeting key sea areas, broadening its scope to include the Yangtze River Estuary–Hangzhou Bay and the waters adjacent to the Pearl River Estuary. It will coordinate pollution prevention and control measures, strengthen marine ecological conservation and restoration, and, through in-depth breakthroughs achieved under this campaign, drive overall improvements in the nation’s marine ecological environment.

　　Third, we have launched new initiatives to strengthen the coordinated control of PM2.5 and ozone, deploying targeted campaigns to eliminate severe pollution episodes and to prevent and control ozone pollution, thereby further enhancing the public’s sense of satisfaction with blue skies. In addition, in alignment with major national strategies, we have introduced a campaign to protect and restore the ecological environment of the Yellow River, promoting joint efforts to ensure comprehensive protection and coordinated governance.

　　Going forward, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in coordination with relevant departments and in accordance with the guidelines set out in the “Opinions,” will seize the critical period at the outset of the 14th Five-Year Plan to focus on the following three key areas. First, we will implement top-level design by refining task assignments and expeditiously formulating action plans for eight landmark campaigns, further translating the roadmap into concrete timetables and detailed blueprints to ensure that measures are operational, actionable, and deliver tangible results. Second, we will strengthen overall coordination by enhancing policy alignment, institutional mechanisms, resource allocation, and mobilization of efforts, while refining and concretizing supporting policies and measures for these priority initiatives and conducting ongoing monitoring, dispatching, and comprehensive evaluation. Third, we will intensify guidance and assistance by improving the mechanism of central-level overall planning, provincial-level overall responsibility, and city- and county-level implementation, providing direction to local authorities to tailor and refine specific measures to local conditions, ensuring that actions are focused, objectives are clear, and measures are pragmatic, thereby guaranteeing full and faithful implementation of the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Thank you.

　　Litchi News Reporter: Jiangsu is a… Aquaculture A major province in the livestock industry, so I’d like to ask a question about… Aquaculture As far as I know, the issue of pollution from aquaculture is gradually… Aquaculture With the continuous development of the aquaculture industry, the resulting self‑pollution is becoming increasingly apparent. Could you please tell us about the current situation in China? Aquaculture What is the state of pollution in the aquaculture industry? The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has… Aquaculture What guiding work has been carried out in the area of aquaculture standards and policies? Thank you.

　　Wang Kaiyu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Laws and Standards of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment: First of all, thank you for your attention. Aquaculture Aquaculture pollution issues.

　　Agricultural non-point source pollution is one of the major sources of emissions that affect water quality, and China is the world’s… Aquaculture The world’s largest aquaculture producer, with both farming area and production scale continuing to expand, Aquaculture The pollution emissions from aquaculture cannot be ignored. According to the “Second National Pollution Source Census Bulletin,” nationwide, the sectors involved… Aquaculture There are 2,843 counties and county-level cities engaged in animal husbandry. Aquaculture The aquaculture sector emitted 666,000 tons of chemical oxygen demand, 22,300 tons of ammonia nitrogen, 99,100 tons of total nitrogen, and 16,100 tons of total phosphorus—levels comparable to those from the industrial sector as a whole, accounting for 73%, 50%, 64%, and 203% of industrial emissions, respectively. Of particular concern is that, Aquaculture Total phosphorus emissions from the livestock sector have already reached twice those of industrial sources.

　　Accordingly, both the CPC Central Committee and the State Council’s “Opinions on Comprehensively Strengthening Ecological and Environmental Protection and Resolutely Winning the Battle Against Pollution” and the “Opinions on Deepening and Winning the Battle Against Pollution” have addressed… Aquaculture Regulations have been established for the prevention and control of pollution in aquaculture, proposing standardized practices for intensive farming. Aquaculture The placement of effluent discharge outlets for aquaculture is, Aquaculture Requirements for advancing the treatment of aquaculture effluent in major production areas. We have taken into account the varying conditions across different regions nationwide. Aquaculture The species raised, farm scale, farming practices, and pollutant‑emission profiles all vary significantly, and regional requirements for improving water‑environment quality also differ. Consequently, a single, nationwide emission standard is unlikely to adequately address the diverse needs of different localities. Aquaculture Precision and science-based pollution control in the aquaculture sector. Accordingly, our ministry has organized the formulation of the “Local…” Aquaculture “Technical Guidelines for the Development of Emission Control Standards for Water Pollutants in the Aquaculture Industry,” primarily intended to guide and standardize the formulation of locally tailored emission control standards across regions, enabling precise implementation at the local level. Aquaculture Pollution prevention and control in the aquaculture sector. This guideline will be officially released in the near future.

　　In addition, the forthcoming joint opinion issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on strengthening ecological and environmental oversight of mariculture also calls on local authorities to, in accordance with relevant work plans and following the guideline’s structural framework, tailor their efforts to local conditions and organize the preparation of region-specific measures. Aquaculture Standards for the control of water pollutant discharges in the aquaculture industry, further promoting local… Aquaculture Green development in aquaculture and improvements in environmental quality have played a positive role. In March of this year, the General Offices of two ministries jointly issued the “Implementation Plan for the Governance and Supervision of Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution (Pilot),” which also advocates a tailored approach for each region, guiding localities in formulating… Aquaculture Standards and specifications for the discharge of aquaculture effluent, among others.

　　Going forward, we will strengthen the dissemination and training on the guidelines, in order to… Aquaculture Pilot provinces in the major aquaculture production areas will advance and support local efforts to develop regulations tailored to their respective regions. Aquaculture Standards for the discharge of aquaculture effluent and technical specifications for pollution control, to be implemented. Aquaculture Models for the treatment and recycling of aquaculture effluent, along with related technological research and demonstration projects, will be further advanced to enhance… Aquaculture Regulatory capacity for aquaculture. Thank you.

　　Cover News reporter: Recently, some localities have imposed carbon‑quota management requirements on local wind, photovoltaic, and other new‑energy and renewable‑energy projects. For example, they stipulate that the carbon‑quota allowances associated with both completed and under‑construction wind and solar projects must remain with the project owners, and that any use or trading of these allowances requires approval from the municipal government, with the resulting revenues accruing to the project’s location—actions that have sparked considerable controversy. What is the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s comment on this?

　　Lu Xinming: Thank you for your question. With regard to the emission reductions generated by new and renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar power, that participate in the voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading scheme, China has already issued relevant regulatory documents to provide clear guidance. In 2012, China promulgated the Interim Measures for the Administration of Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Trading, which explicitly stipulates that the voluntary emission reduction trading mechanism supports the quantitative verification of greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved by projects in sectors such as renewable energy. The verified emission reductions can then be traded on the market, playing a positive role in promoting the development of renewable energy and ecological conservation compensation, and also serving as an important offset mechanism within the national carbon emissions trading market.

　　We have also noted that, in recent months, certain localities have issued documents imposing restrictions on carbon‑related indicators for new‑energy and renewable‑energy projects, such as wind and solar power, while stipulating that project revenues be retained by the host locality. In this regard, I would like to emphasize two points:

　　First, the rights and interests of project developers participating in voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading are protected by national law; local governments have no authority to impose restrictions on or appropriate such legitimate rights and interests.

　　Second, voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading is a nationwide market; local authorities should not adopt “local protectionist” policies that contradict national regulations. Thank you.

　　Liu Youbin: That concludes today’s press conference. Thank you all!
 

Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment Author: Ministry of Ecology and Environment