Progress in and Prospects of the Reform
of the System for Developing
an Ecological Civilization
Shuzhong Gu
1 Historic Progress in and Outcomes of the Reform
of the System for Developing an Ecological Civilization
1. Historic progress
The Master Plan for Reform of the System for Developing an Ecological Civilization,
introduced in 2015, systematically charts the framework and reform path of China’s
system for building an ecological civilization, clarifies eight institutional areas and
47 items, and is a fundamental guideline for advancing the reform of the system for
developing an ecological civilization. It is followed by a series of special plans for the
reform, numbered nearly 50 so far, and covering the main areas of ecological conservation such as general affairs, resources, environment, ecology, and space. These
plans are directional and pioneering documents to advance the system reform and
construction for building an ecological civilization from different angles and aspects.
Especially those about performance evaluation and accountability play an extremely
important role in transforming the mindset about development and the assessment
methods, and increasing efforts in accountability for environmental protection. At
the same time, more and more supporting policies have been rolled out to accelerate
ecological progress. While continuing to advance the reform of system for building
an ecological civilization, departments and localities have continuously introduced
their own supporting policies in the form of notices and decisions for the effective
implementation of the system reform.
2. Historic outcomes
First, the vision of ecological civilization, in particular the principle that lucid waters
and lush mountains are invaluable assets, is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people,
S. Gu (B)
Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, Development Research Center of the
State Council, Beijing, China
© China Environment Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 2021
J. Pan et al. (eds.), Beautiful China: 70 Years Since 1949 and 70 People’s Views
on Eco-civilization Construction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6742-5_62
621
of the System for Developing
an Ecological Civilization
Shuzhong Gu
1 Historic Progress in and Outcomes of the Reform
of the System for Developing an Ecological Civilization
1. Historic progress
The Master Plan for Reform of the System for Developing an Ecological Civilization,
introduced in 2015, systematically charts the framework and reform path of China’s
system for building an ecological civilization, clarifies eight institutional areas and
47 items, and is a fundamental guideline for advancing the reform of the system for
developing an ecological civilization. It is followed by a series of special plans for the
reform, numbered nearly 50 so far, and covering the main areas of ecological conservation such as general affairs, resources, environment, ecology, and space. These
plans are directional and pioneering documents to advance the system reform and
construction for building an ecological civilization from different angles and aspects.
Especially those about performance evaluation and accountability play an extremely
important role in transforming the mindset about development and the assessment
methods, and increasing efforts in accountability for environmental protection. At
the same time, more and more supporting policies have been rolled out to accelerate
ecological progress. While continuing to advance the reform of system for building
an ecological civilization, departments and localities have continuously introduced
their own supporting policies in the form of notices and decisions for the effective
implementation of the system reform.
2. Historic outcomes
First, the vision of ecological civilization, in particular the principle that lucid waters
and lush mountains are invaluable assets, is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people,
S. Gu (B)
Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, Development Research Center of the
State Council, Beijing, China
© China Environment Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 2021
J. Pan et al. (eds.), Beautiful China: 70 Years Since 1949 and 70 People’s Views
on Eco-civilization Construction, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6742-5_62
621