Environmental policy Environmental issues in China

the center american progress has described china s environmental policy similar of united states before 1970. is, central government issues strict regulations, actual monitoring , enforcement largely undertaken local governments more interested in economic growth. furthermore, due restrictive conduct of china s undemocratic regime, environmental work of non-governmental forces, such lawyers, journalists, , non-governmental organizations, severely hampered.

since 2002, number of complaints environmental authorities increased 30 percent every year, reaching 600,000 in 2004; meanwhile, according article director of institute of public , environmental affairs ma jun in 2007, number of mass protests caused environmental issues grew 29 percent every year since time. growing attention upon environmental matters caused chinese government display increased level of concern towards environmental issues , creation of sustainable growth. example, in annual address in 2007, wen jiabao, premier of people s republic of china, made 48 references environment, pollution, , environmental protection , , stricter environmental regulations subsequently implemented. of subsidies polluting industries cancelled, while polluting industries shut down. however, although promotion of clean energy technology occurred, many environmental targets missed.

after 2007 address, polluting industries continued receive inexpensive access land, water, electricity, oil, , bank loans, while market-oriented measures, such surcharges on fuel , coal, not considered government despite proven success in other countries. significant influence of corruption hindrance effective enforcement, local authorities ignored orders , hampered effectiveness of central decisions. in response challenging environmental situation, president hu jintao implemented green g.d.p. project, whereby china s gross domestic product adjusted compensate negative environmental effects; however, program lost official influence in spring 2007 due confronting nature of data. project s lead researcher claimed provincial leaders terminated program, stating officials not lined , told how not meeting leadership’s goals ... found difficult accept this.

in 2014 china amended protection laws fight pollution , reverse environmental damage in country.