Public's role in protecting environment

A woman wearing a mask makes her way on a street amid heavy haze and smog in Beijing,?on October 11, 2014 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Environmental Protection began soliciting public opinions on a draft regulation that will allow the public to participate in environmental protection investigations. The draft also requires environmental protection departments to help social organizations launch litigation in the public interest. Comments:

The draft regulation is a positive move, but it still has too many limits that maintain a high threshold for social organizations to raise public litigation. Since most of the qualified social organizations share interests with government departments or are simply governed by them, how can they act independently and launch litigation in the public interest? The draft regulation needs to be improved.

Chang Jiwen, a researcher on environmental policies at the Development Research Center of the State Council, April 15

Currently the public is allowed to supervise investigations into some environmental incidents, but mostly after potentially polluting projects have started or pollution has already happened. The projects or polluting plants involve interests of investors so such supervision often provokes conflicts. Why not allow the public to participate in environmental impact evaluations before projects start, and respect their right to say "no". That will make the supervision more effective and help maintain stability.

hbzhan.com, April 15

Many countries' constitutions clearly state citizens have the right to participate in environmental protection, and they have specific laws to protect the public's right to supervise plants that might harm the environment and investigate pollution incidents. However, in China this right is not specified in the law. The ministry is only trying to issue a regulation to protect that right. It is urgent to start the legislative work so that ordinary citizens' rights to participate in environmental protection are covered by the law.

Beijing Youth Daily, April 15