The Evolution of China's Environmental Protection Policies from a Sustainable Development Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/v0w48b32Keywords:
Environmental Protection Policy, Sustainable Development, Policy Evolution, Environmental Governance, Stakeholder Analysis, Chinese Environmental Management, Chinese Government, Social GovernanceAbstract
This study examines the evolution of China's environmental protection policies from a sustainable development perspective, analyzing their development across five distinct stages from 1972 to the present. Through comprehensive analysis of policy transformation, stakeholder dynamics, and institutional changes, the research reveals the complex interplay between domestic and international factors shaping China's environmental governance. The study identifies key transitions in policy approach: from passive response to active participation, from single pollution control to systematic construction, and from administrative command to multi-stakeholder governance. The research highlights significant challenges in policy implementation, including local-central government tensions, economic-environmental balance conflicts, and public participation limitations. The findings demonstrate that optimizing institutional structures and strengthening social security systems are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of China's environmental protection efforts.
Downloads
References
[1] Aung, T. S., Fischer, T. B., & Shengji, L. (2020). Evaluating environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the countries along the belt and road initiatives: System effectiveness and the compatibility with the Chinese EIA. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 81, 106361.
[2] Beyer, S. (2006). Environmental law and policy in the People's Republic of China. Chinese Journal of International Law, 5(1), 185-211.
[3] Bomberg, E. (2016). Governance for sustainable development: The United States and the European Union compared. In Transatlantic Environment and Energy Politics (pp. 21-40). Routledge.
[4] Coenen, J., Bager, S., Meyfroidt, P., Newig, J., & Challies, E. (2021). Environmental governance of China's belt and road initiative. Environmental Policy and Governance, 31(1), 3-17.
[5] Ding, Y. (1998). Integration of sustainable development strategy and economic policy: Problems and countermeasures. Sociological Studies, 3, 12-18.
[6] Elder, M., & Olsen, S. H. (2019). The design of environmental priorities in the SDGs. Global Policy, 10, 70-82.
[7] Guo, S. (2019). The institutional logic and continuation of central environmental protection inspection: Based on comparative study of inspection systems. China Studies of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, 1(5), 83-91.
[8] Khan, M. I., & Chang, Y. C. (2018). Environmental challenges and current practices in China-a thorough analysis. Sustainability, 10(7), 2547.
[9] Li, J. (2021). Historical review of the initiation of environmental protection in New China. Beijing Party History, (2), 45-52.
[10] Li, L. (1984). Several issues concerning pollution discharge fees. Fujian Tribune (Humanities and Social Sciences Edition), 3, 28-35.
[11] Li, Y., & Feng, H. (2008). Legislative suggestions on improving China's environmental resource protection law [Doctoral dissertation]. Retrieved from Chinese Academic Database.
[12] Lu, J., & Luo, X. (2002). On the system of China's environmental resource law. Journal of Fujian Institute of Political Science and Law, 3, 12-18.
[13] Milhorance, C., & Soule-Kohndou, F. (2017). South-South cooperation and change in international organizations. Global Governance, 23, 461-472.
[14] Nie, Y., Cheng, D., & Liu, K. (2020). The effectiveness of environmental authoritarianism: Evidence from China's administrative inquiry for environmental protection. Energy Economics, 88, 104777.
[15] Pan, J., & Zhuang, G. (2018). China's ecological construction and environmental protection (1978-2018). Social Sciences Academic Press.
[16] Sdg, U. (2019). Sustainable development goals. The Energy Progress Report. Tracking SDG, 7, 805-814.
[17] Shi, L., Han, L., Yang, F., & Gao, L. (2019). The evolution of sustainable development theory: Types, goals, and research prospects. Sustainability, 11(24), 7158.
[18] Walder, A. G. (2017). China's transitional economy: Interpreting its significance. In Chinese Economic History Since 1949 (pp. 120-138). Brill.
[19] Wei, C., Du, L., & Shen, M. (2010). Can China achieve its energy-saving and emission-reduction targets: Assessment and simulation based on DEA method. World Economy, 3(1), 21-36.
[20] Wu, S., Shen, Y., Guo, L., & Xing, J. (2020). Development process, characteristics and prospects of China's environmental strategy and policy. Environment and Sustainable Development, 45(1), 34-36.
[21] Xia, G. (2014). Establishing a systematic and complete ecological civilization system. Environment and Sustainable Development, 39(2), 9-11.
[22] Yang, C., & Zhang, N. (2015). On the chaos and countermeasures of government environmental accountability in China-Written at the beginning of the implementation of the new Environmental Protection Law. Journal of Jishou University (Social Sciences Edition), 36(4), 1-8.
[23] Yang, Z. (1992). Comprehensive report on the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Northwest Geology, 3, 15-22.
[24] Yu, S., Sial, M. S., Tran, D. K., Badulescu, A., Thu, P. A., & Sehleanu, M. (2020). Adoption and implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in China-Agenda 2030. Sustainability, 12(15), 6288.
[25] Yu, W., & Jin, X. (2022). Does environmental information disclosure promote the awakening of public environmental awareness? Insights from Baidu keyword analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 375, 134072.
[26] Zhai, T., & Chang, Y. C. (2018). Standing of environmental public-interest litigants in China: Evolution, obstacles and solutions. Journal of Environmental Law, 30(3), 369-397.
[27] Zhang, H., Zhou, F., Yang, H., & Guo, Q. (2009). Empirical analysis of regulatory performance achieving win-win between environmental protection and economic development. Economic Research Journal, 3, 14-26.
[28] Zheng, J. (2013). Research on China's environmental investment and financing strategies in the post-financial crisis period. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 22(5), 905-912.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Education and Humanities

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.







