Chapter 8 Specialized Environmental Courts in China

In: Environmental Courts and Tribunals in Asia-Pacific
Author:
Yuhong Zhao
Search for other papers by Yuhong Zhao in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Type:
Chapter
Pages:
215–246
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004695863_009

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00
Add to Cart
Redeem Access Token

Abstract

Environmental courts have been established in China since 2007 with the mission of strengthening environmental governance by better delivery of environmental justice. Fifteen years of dynamic development has resulted in more than 2,000 specialized environmental adjudication bodies, operating at four levels of courts with comprehensive jurisdiction. This chapter examines the evolution and operation of environmental courts in China and, by case studies, elucidates whether and how specialization in environmental adjudication contributes to good environmental governance. Based on a review of the early emergence of environmental courts and the local exploration of public interest litigation as well as the national reform on specialized environmental adjudication led by the Supreme People’s Court, the chapter reflects on the Chinese model of environmental courts by benchmarking it with international best practices of successful environmental courts and tribunals, highlighting key characteristics of comprehensive jurisdiction and combined adjudication; standing and access to justice; judicial mediation and innovation in remedies and enforcement; responsiveness to new environmental challenges; and the search for independent adjudication free from local protectionism.

  • Collapse
  • Expand

Environmental Courts and Tribunals in Asia-Pacific

Best Practices, Challenges and the Way Forward

Series:  Brill's Asian Law Series, Volume: 13
Cover Environmental Courts and Tribunals in Asia-Pacific
E-Book ISBN:
9789004695863
Publisher:
Brill | Nijhoff
Print Publication Date:
30 Oct 2024

  • Chen, A. H. Y. An Introduction to the Chinese Legal System (5th ed.) (LexisNexis, 2019).

  • Keith, R. C., Z. Lin & S. Hou, China’s Supreme Court (Routledge, 2014).

  • Pring G. & C. Pring, Environmental Courts & Tribunals: A Guide for Policy Makers (United Nations Environment Programme, 2016).

  • Wang, C. ‘The Case of Air Pollution Compensation Caused by Copper Smelter in Chifeng of Inner Mongolia’, in C. Wang & Feng Jia, (eds.), China’s Environmental Litigation (Chinese University of Politics and Law Press, 2015).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang, C. ‘The Rapid Development of Environmental Protection Law’, in D. Cai & C. Wang (eds.), China’s Journey toward the Rule of Law (Koninklijke Brill NV, 2010), pp. 495–548.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zhao, Y. Chinese Environmental Law (Cambridge University Press, 2021).

  • Han, X. ‘Re-examining the Phenomenon of No Case to Adjudicate by ects’ (2019) 34(2) Legal Forum, pp. 128–134.

  • Li Y. & Cao Wei, ‘Framework of Laws and Policies on Renewable Energy and Relevant Systems in China under the Background of Climate Change’ (2012) 13 Vermont Journal of Environmental Law, pp. 823–863.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Preston, B. J. ‘Characteristics of Successful Environmental Courts and Tribunals’ (2014) 26 Journal of Environmental Law, pp. 365–393.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stern, R. E. ‘The Political Logic of China’s New Environmental Courts’, (2014) 72 The China Journal , pp. 53–74.

  • van Rooij, B., R.E. Stern & K. Fürst, ‘The Authoritarian Logic of Regulatory Pluralism: Understanding China’s New Environmental Actors’ (2016) 10(1) Regulation & Governance, pp. 3–13.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang A. L. & Jie Gao, ‘Environmental Courts and the Development of Environmental Public Interest Litigation in China’, (2010) 3 Journal of Court Innovation , pp. 37–50.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang, A. L. ‘Environmental Courts and Public Interest Litigation in China’, (2010) 43 China Law and Government, pp. 4–17.

  • Wang, C. ‘The Specialized Reform of Environmental Justice in China’, (2013) 1 China Legal Science, pp. 28–51.

  • Wang, Jin. ‘Problems and Countermeasures in Construction of China’s Environmental Courts’ (2014) 42(16) Environmental Protection, pp. 14–17.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zhang, Z. ‘An Empirical Assessment of Specialized Environmental Adjudication: Focusing on Environmental Adjudication Organs and Mechanisms’ (2016) China Law Science, pp. 177–196.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Zhao, Y. ‘Adjudication of Environmental Administrative Disputes in China’ (2022) 17 Journal of Comparative Law, pp. 393–421.

  • All-China Environment Federation (acef) v. Xiuwen epb (2012) (Guiyang Intermediate Court), spc Gazette (2013), issue no.1.

  • All-China Environment Federation and Another v. Guiyang Dingba Paper Mill (2011), spc Nine Model Cases on Environment and Resources (2014), case no. 1.

  • All-China Environment Federation v. Qingzhen Land and Resources Bureau (Qingzhen Environment Court, 2009).

  • China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (cbcgdf) v. Guizhou Hongde Real Estate Co. (2019), spc Model Cases of 2019 on Environmental Public Interest Litigation and Eco-Environmental Damages Compensation (2020), case no. 2.

  • China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (cbcgdf) v. Ningxia Ruitai Science and Technology Co. & Seven Others (2016) (gc no. 75).

  • Friends of Nature (fon) v. State Grid Gansu Power Co. (Gansu High Court, 2018).

  • Friends of Nature (fon) v. Xinping Co and Kunming Institute (2020) (gc no. 173).

  • Guiyang Municipal Court, Decision on Designated Jurisdiction (2007).

  • Guiyang Two Lakes and One Reservoir Management Committee v. Guizhou Tianfeng Chemical Co. Ltd (Qingzhen Environment Court, 2007).

  • Kunming Environmental Protection Bureau v. Kunming Sannong Co. Ltd & Another (2011) (Kunming Intermediate Court).

  • Kunming Sannong Co. Ltd. & Another v. Kunming Environmental Protection Bureau (2011) (Yunnan High Court).

  • Qin Jiaxue (2018) (gc no.172).

  • spc Model Environment and Resources Cases for 2021 (2022), case no.7.

  • Ten Model Cases of the People’s Courts for 2011, case no. 8 (People’s Court News, 6 Jan 2012), at 2.

  • Wuhan Zhuohang Jianghai Trading Co. Ltd., Xiang Yang and 11 Others (2020) (gc no.202).

  • Zhu Xiaochen v. Anyang Countyepb, spc Model Environment and Resources Cases of 2019 (2020), case no. 22.

  • Zhu Zhengmao and All-China Environment Federation v. Jiangsu Jiangyin Harbour Container Co (2009), spc Nine Model Cases on Environment and Resources (2014), case no. 5.

  • Civil Code (2020).

  • Environmental Protection Law (2014).

  • Organic Law of the People’s Courts of the People’s Republic of China (2018).

  • Renewable Energy Law (2009).

  • The Yangtze River Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (2020).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China & the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, Interpretation of the spcandsppon Application of Law in Cases of Procuratorial Environmental Public Interest Litigation (2018).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Environment and Resources Adjudication in China (2016–2017) (2017).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Environment and Resources Adjudication in China (2021) (2022).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Adjudication of Environmental Civil Public Interest Litigation (2015).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Interpretation on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in the Adjudication of Environmental Tort Cases (2015).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Interpretation on the Application of Punitive Damages in Environment Tort Cases (2022).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Provisions on Judicial Interpretation (1997).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Provisions on Judicial Interpretation (2007).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Several Provisions on the Adjudication of Cases for Eco-Environmental Damage Compensation (for trial use) (2019).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Several Provisions on the Application of Injunction as Preservation Measures in Environmental Tort Cases (2021).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, [name of press conference]. Press conference held at the Five Year Anniversary of the Establishment of the Environment and Resources Division, 30 Jul 2019.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Detailed Implementation Rules (2015).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Environment and Resources Adjudication in China 2017–18 (2019).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Fully Strengthening the Environment and Resources Adjudication Work. Press conference held at [location], 3 Jul 2014.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Guiding Opinions on Unifying the Application of Laws to Strengthen the Retrieval of Similar Cases (for trial use) (2020).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Interpretation on Environmental Civil pil (2015, revised 2020).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Interpretation on Environmental Civil pil (2020).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Judicial Protection of Biodiversity in China (2022).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Opinion on Comprehensively Strengthening Environment and Resources Adjudication to Provide Judicial Guarantee for the Construction of Ecological Civilization (2014).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Press Conference on Environment and Resources Adjudication to Build a Beautiful China. Press Conference held at [location] on (20 Sep 2022).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Provisions on Case Guidance Work (2010).

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Reply on Cross-regional Jurisdiction over Environment and Resources Cases Exercised by Nanjing Intermediate Court (2019).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Reply on the Approval of Setting Up Specialized Environment and Resources Tribunal at Nanjing Intermediate Court (2019).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, Several Opinions on Providing Judicial Guarantee and Services for Accelerating the Transformation of the Economic Development Mode (2010).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, spc’s Notice on Designating Beijing No.4 Intermediate Court to Exercise Second-Instance Jurisdiction over Appeals of Environmental Administrative Cases Adjudicated by Tianjin Railway Court (2017).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • An, K. ‘spc Establishes Environment and Resources Division’, (People’s Court News, 4 Jul 2014).

  • [Author], ‘Yunnan Kunming Publishes Green Paper on Environmental Adjudication’, (Yunnan Daily, 18 Oct 2013).

  • Chen, Zhang ‘2,426 ects established nationwide’, (Legal Daily, 21 Sep 2022).

  • China News Net, ‘China’s First Green Book on Judicial Protection of the Environment Published Highlighting Civil Public Interest Litigation’, (China News Net, 17 Oct 2013).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fei, Yu ‘Environmental Public Interest Litigation: From Difficult Beginning to Steady Development’, (Legal Daily, 25 Oct 2012).

  • Jiangsu Provincial High Court, Notice on the Establishment ofects and Cross-regional Jurisdiction (2019).

  • Jiangsu Provincial High Court, Notice on the Launch of the Environment and Resources ‘9+1’ Adjudication System (2019).

  • Ke, Shao ‘No Case to Adjudicate: ect’s Dilemma in epil’, (Democracy and Law Times, 5 Jun 2016).

  • Kunming Intermediate Court, Environment and Resources Division of Kunming Intermediate Court: Contributing Kunming Wisdom to Adjudication (2022).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ling Liu and Tang Li, ‘Environmental Protection Adjudication Division and Environmental Protection Tribunals Set Up in Our City’, (Guiyang Daily, 21 Nov 2007).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Decision of the State Council on Implementing Scientific Outlook on Development and Strengthening Environmental Protection (2005).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Qiang, Zhou Work Report of the Supreme People’s Court. Conference paper presented to the 14th npc on 7 Mar 2023.

  • Qie, J. ‘Why Always Resort to Environmental Courts in Times of Crisis?’, (Legal Daily, 6 Oct 2008).

  • Gao, Hucheng, Explanatory Notes on the Law on the Protection of the Yangtze River (Draft). presented to the 13th npcsc at its 15th session on 23 Dec 2019.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Setzer J. & C. Higham, Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation: 2022 Snapshot (London School of Economics and Political Science, 2022).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Decision on Strengthening Judicial Interpretation (1981).

  • Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Measures on Record and Review of Regulations and Judicial Interpretations (2019).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • United Nations Environment Programme, Global Climate Litigation Report: 2020 Status Review (2021).

  • Wang, D. ‘The Supreme People’s Court Exploring Public Interest Litigation to Protect Water Resources’, (Legal Daily, 12 Apr 2010).

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Xuan, Chen ‘Over Half of the World’s ects are in China Yet They Have No Case To Hear’, (China Youth Daily, 14 Aug 2013).

  • Zhan, A. ‘Obvious Improvement of Water Quality at Red Maple Lake and Hundred Flowers Lake’, (Guizhou Daily, 29 Nov 2010).

Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 60 60 12
Full Text Views 1 1 1
PDF Views & Downloads 5 5 1