Although China’s remarkable economic growth has transformed its economy into an industrial powerhouse, it has also caused significant ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, and pollution. These crises threaten the health and safety of the current population and undermine future development. In response to these concerns, China’s national government has developed a policy agenda of “ecological civilization”in both national planning and local management to place the environment at the center of development strategy.
Since 2007, China’s central government has enacted a wide range of legislation and high-level directives under the umbrella of ecological civilization. The Circular Economy Promotion Law was established in 2008 to reduce the environmental impacts and improve resource conservation of all economic sectors. More recently, in 2021, the State Council and CCP Central Committee issued a directive laying out the goal of creating markets and financing mechanisms for natural capital in the next two decades.
Understanding this fast-changing policy landscape will provide crucial insights into the future direction of China’s development. Our interdisciplinary research will analyze emerging institutions, laws and regulations; inform innovative solutions to pressing problems; and identify opportunities for collaboration with decision-makers and stakeholders in academia, government, business, and civil society.
