China faces a growing environmental crisis forcing a critical review of not only its economic growth model but also its ability to implement political and judicial reforms. China's rapid development has been fueled by energy-intensive, high-emission manufacturing and other industries, which rely primarily on polluting sources of energy. A transportation boom and the large number of cars on the road further contribute to pollution. Rapid urbanization leads to greater energy consumption and places additional burden on the environment. Water use in urban areas and by the industrial sector is inefficient and wasteful. The resulting environmental crisis is marked by air and water pollution, soil contamination, water scarcity, extreme climate events, loss of biodiversity, overgrazing of grassland, deforestation, and desertification. It is further compounded by the lack of accountability for violations of environmental protection laws and standards.
Environmental degradation poses grave risks to public health and social stability. These risks include respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases, high incidences of cancer, and a growing number of social protests across the country against environmental problems.
In recent years, China has introduced a number of ambitious environmental targets and legislations. However, continued preoccupation with economic development and lack of accountability provide little incentive for either local government officials or enterprises to recognize that the long-term costs and risks of inaction far outweigh the up-front costs of complying with stricter environmental standards. Influence of powerful enterprises over government departments and officials impedes efforts to strengthen industrial standards and law enforcement. Under China's state secrets legal system, a significant amount of information related to environmental issues is and can be classified. Lack of access to information on the environment restricts the public's ability to monitor and diagnose the challenges, limits ability to develop effective solutions and responses, and undermines transparency and government accountability. The lack of an independent judicial system also presents challenges to addressing violations and enforcing environment law and regulations.
In the face of severe environmental degradation nation-wide, Chinese leaders as well as government-affiliated think tanks and social organizations have acknowledged the extent and risks of environmental problems. The Chinese government has introduced or amended legislation and policies to enhance environmental protection, issued stricter industry standards, taken some measures to enhance transparency and accountability, and imposed harsher penalties for violations. In 2008, the National People's Congress upgraded the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) to a full Cabinet-level Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). The authorities have also taken steps to explore more sustainable and low-carbon based energy sources.
Despite restrictions on the media and civil society, media and citizen activism on the environment is on the rise. Environmental NGOs, activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens are active in investigating and reporting on environmental problems, especially on the Internet. Since the national Regulations on Open Government Information came into force in May 2008, environmental NGOs have invoked the Regulations and related implementing measures to obtain key environmental data. The amended Civil Procedure Law enables NGOs working on the environment to file public interest lawsuits against environmental pollution and harms done to mass consumers, but how this law will be used successfully by civil society remains to be tested. Affected communities are increasingly mobilized against polluting projects, often using social media and other new technologies to organize protests and share information.
Internationally, China's key trading partners as well as multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), engage the Chinese government and other stakeholders in projects to ensure environmental sustainability, address climate change, and promote a green, low-carbon economy. United Nations human rights mechanisms have taken up environmental issues when examining China's record and made constructive recommendations. Chinese civil society organizations and activists are becoming more aware of opportunities to engage with and contribute to these UN mechanisms and processes.
