BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Thursday passed the landmark Ecological and Environmental Code, laying a solid legal cornerstone for pursuing Chinese modernization with human-nature harmony as a distinctive feature.
As China's second formal statutory code following the adoption of the Civil Code in 2020, the Ecological and Environmental Code received legislative approval at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.
This new legislation aims at safeguarding the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature, thus consolidating the country's theoretical, institutional and practical achievements in ecological conservation since 2012. It is set to take effect on Aug. 15, 2026.
"The adoption of this code will further improve the system of rule of law for ecological progress, creating a systematic, standardized, and authoritative legal 'Great Wall' for the building of a Beautiful China," said Zhang Xingying, a national political advisor and an official with the China Meteorological Administration.
The move comes as the international community grapples with accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, which underscores the growing need for comprehensive legal frameworks to guide sustainable development.
China has made historic strides in ecological conservation over the years. By championing green development, the country has recorded the world's fastest growth in forest resources, taken a global lead in renewable energy development, and achieved one of the fastest reductions in energy intensity worldwide.
The rule of law has been continuously strengthened to support the country's green drive. To date, China has developed over 30 environmental laws, more than 100 administrative regulations and numerous other legal documents in this field, forming a framework that has now been systematized and elevated by the new code.
The 1,242-article code has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.
Based on deliberations and feedback from relevant parties, more than 200 amendments have been made to the code.
Setting a pioneering precedent by dedicating an entire chapter to green and low-carbon development, the code is expected to steer China toward a new paradigm that harmonizes high-quality development, high-quality living, and high-standard ecological protection.
"Green and low-carbon development is the fundamental solution to ecological and environmental challenges," Zhang said, noting that the code goes beyond pollution control and ecological protection to powering green transformation of economic and social development under the rule of law.
The code is aligned with China's pledges to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. As part of the progress in low-carbon development, the country has seen its energy consumption per unit of GDP in 2024 cut by 11.6 percent from the 2020 level.
China's climate actions have also extended beyond borders. Since 2016, it has mobilized over 177 billion yuan (about 25.69 billion U.S. dollars) to support climate efforts in developing countries. During the 2021-2025 period, China's exports of wind power and photovoltaic products helped cut around 4.1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions in other countries.
"Addressing climate change is a global challenge," said Zhang Zhongmin, vice president of Hubei University of Economics. "The code demonstrates China's firm commitment to carbon peaking and neutrality, bolstering its role in engaging in and steering the multilateral climate governance." ■
