Environmental Law Codification in China: Toward a Coherent Legal Framework for Ecological Civilization

Edited book (chapter)

Zhao, Xiaobo, McNamara, Noeleen and Zhang, Zhenglian. 2025. "Environmental Law Codification in China: Toward a Coherent Legal Framework for Ecological Civilization ." Zhao, Xiaobo, McNamara, Noeleen, Gong, Gu and Wu, Kaijie (ed.) Environmental Law Codification in China: Paradigm Change in Environmental Legislation. Singapore. Springer. pp. 1-33
Chapter Title

Environmental Law Codification in China: Toward a Coherent Legal Framework for Ecological Civilization

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID3337
Book TitleEnvironmental Law Codification in China: Paradigm Change in Environmental Legislation
AuthorsZhao, Xiaobo, McNamara, Noeleen and Zhang, Zhenglian
EditorsZhao, Xiaobo, McNamara, Noeleen, Gong, Gu and Wu, Kaijie
Page Range1-33
SeriesContemporary Environmental Law and Policy
Chapter Number1
Number of Pages33
Year2025
PublisherSpringer
Place of PublicationSingapore
ISBN9789819692101
9789819692132
9789819692118
ISSN3059-3409
3059-3417
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-9211-8_1
Web Address (URL)https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-96-9211-8
Abstract

Abstract Over recent decades, China’s environmental law system has undergone significant development. However, persistent structural deficiencies in the legislative model continue to undermine the coherence and effectiveness of this framework. The lack of a unified legislative structure has resulted in a fragmented, duplica-tive, and reactive environmental legal system, where incremental amendments fall short of addressing systemic shortcomings. A comprehensive restructuring is essen-tial to enhance environmental legislative quality, ensure enforceability, and align with China’s commitment to ecological civilization and high-quality green devel-opment. Developing an Environmental Code in China presents a transformative opportunity to consolidate disparate provisions, eliminate contradictions, and estab-lish a robust, integrated legal foundation for sustainable environmental governance. This chapter looks into the background, major theoretical debates, challenges, and proposed solutions concerning China’s environmental law codification process.

KeywordsEnvironmental code; Environmental law codification; Ecological civilization; China; Environmental legislation
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480203. Environmental law
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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law and Justice
East China Normal University, China
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