Two Sessions 2026:China's draft environmental code:A milestone in environmental rule of law

        

 

Our reporter Feng Yilei spoke with Lyu Zhongmei,a member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress and Vice Chairman of the NPC Environmental and Resources Protection Committee,who first proposed the drafting of the environmental code.She explains how this groundbreaking legislation seeks to balance economic development with environmental protection and supports the goals of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

 

FENG YILEI,CGTN Reporter"It's a great honor to speak to you as the leading role in compiling this code.What does its adoption mean for China's ecological governance–and,most importantly,for the daily lives of ordinary people?"

 

LYU ZHONGMEI,Member,Standing Committee of 14th NPC,Vice Chair,NPC Environment&Resources Protection Committee"I believe this sends a very strong signal to the world.In the past,many achievements of our ecological civilization reform were reflected through policies—we issued numerous reform policies.This time,we are consolidating successful reform experiences through legal codification,the most authoritative and stable form.This demonstrates that we are not fighting just a single battle;rather,the construction of ecological civilization are our national goals,the people's aspiration for a better life is our ultimate purpose,and for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation,we will persistently and routinely employ the strictest rule of law and most rigorous measures to protect our living environment."

 

FENG YILEI,CGTN Reporter"The world is closely watching China's dual carbon commitments.How does this code translate those targets into concrete,legally binding actions?"

 

LYU ZHONGMEI,Member,Standing Committee of 14th NPC,Vice Chair,NPC Environment&Resources Protection Committee"We have directly written into the code our commitment to full compliance with greenhouse gas standards,and we have expressed in the code all our commitments to using carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals as drivers to comprehensively promote green transformation of the economy and society.I believe this represents a very important aspect of how we fulfill our promises through concrete actions,demonstrate responsibility to the international community,and present the image of a responsible major power."

 

FENG YILEI,CGTN Reporter"As rising green trade barriers increasingly affect exports and jobs,can this code serve as a legal tool to safeguard China's interests?"

 

LYU ZHONGMEI,Member,Standing Committee of 14th NPC,Vice Chair,NPC Environment&Resources Protection Committee"On one hand,by raising standards for green and low-carbon development transformation and adopting market-based measures—we build our own green development system,align with international requirements such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism,and enhance the competitiveness of Chinese products.Our carbon footprint accounting,carbon sink methodologies,and other initiatives are all contributing to the world.On the other hand,the ecological and environmental code establishes extraterritorial application clauses and designs our own environmental protection standard system.Any foreign enterprise coming to China must comply with Chinese environmental laws,and Chinese enterprises going abroad must carry our standards with them."

 

FENG YILEI,CGTN Reporter"As China advances the 15th five year plan,how is this code designed to remain flexible and responsive,without becoming overly rigid or stifling innovation?"

 

LYU ZHONGMEI,Member,Standing Committee of 14th NPC,Vice Chair,NPC Environment&Resources Protection Committee"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period,I believe there will be a fundamental change in our ecological and environmental protection.In the past,we relied more on strict administrative enforcement control,but now,while maintaining strict control standards and measures,we also need more incentive measures to force enterprises to transform.We want them to be environmentally friendly,and through incentive measures,we make enterprises willing to be environmentally friendly proactively.If I may put it plainly,this code is not merely a binding discipline for businesses;more importantly,it acts as a powerful engine propelling them onto a new track of green transformation in the years ahead."

 

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  来源：CGTN