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X. Zhang
the governments at all levels. We shall promote the construction of a linkage mechanism for law enforcement and justice in environmental cases, and a database about
environment-related procuratorial work via information platforms. In particular, we
should follow the development trends of the Internet, big data, cloud computing,
artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies, establish an information platform for environment law enforcement and justice, and improve the environmental
governance operation mechanism in the Internet era.
Second, we should implement the principle that “whoever enforces the law shall
popularize the law” to raise public awareness of rule of law for ecological conservation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the public attention to ecological and
environmental issues has climbed to an unprecedented level, but people’s awareness of environmental rights and participation remains low, and their understanding
of the ecological environment limited. Especially when their own interests are not
threatened, most people are indifferent or passive toward environmental pollution. To
realize the rule of law in ecological conservation, the key is to create a law-abiding
society which will promote law enforcement and save judicial resources. While
implementing Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, we should regard raising
public awareness of the rule of law as a fundamental task, uphold the principle that
“whoever enforces the law shall popularize the law,” effectively strengthen education
on laws for ecological conservation, and help enhance the rule-of-law awareness
across the society. New ways must be introduced to seek actual results. By interpreting law with individual cases, publishing legal documents online, publishing
guiding cases, typical cases and procuratorial announcements, and making public
delivery of procuratorial recommendations, procuratorial organs can increase public
knowledge about relevant regulations and environmental protection, and guide the
public to deeply participate in ecological and environmental protection in an orderly
manner. We should provide unimpeded channels for the public to report and expose
environment and resources offense, raise public awareness of the rule of law and environmental protection, and encourage and increase public participation in ecological,
environmental and resources conservation.
Third, we shall help improve the system for public participation in ecological
and environmental protection. Environmental protection cannot rely on the government alone. The abuse of decision-making power and the lack of public participation
caused by the “government failure” are the root cause for the legal dilemma facing
environmental governance. The people’s strong demand for environmental information, knowledge, and culture is unprecedented. In the Environmental Protection
Law implemented in 2015, there is a chapter “Information Disclosure and Public
Engagement” which for the first time stipulates that “citizens, legal persons and
other organizations shall be entitled to the right of acquiring the environment information…” The disclosure of environment information concerns the people’s right to
know, to participate, to express and to supervise. While raising citizens’ awareness of
the rule of law on the environment, procuratorial organs should, in the course of case
handling, actively put forward procuratorial suggestions against the lack of procedural environmental rights granted to citizens, prompt the government to improve
the environmental protection supporting system, ensure the effective implementation
X. Zhang
the governments at all levels. We shall promote the construction of a linkage mechanism for law enforcement and justice in environmental cases, and a database about
environment-related procuratorial work via information platforms. In particular, we
should follow the development trends of the Internet, big data, cloud computing,
artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies, establish an information platform for environment law enforcement and justice, and improve the environmental
governance operation mechanism in the Internet era.
Second, we should implement the principle that “whoever enforces the law shall
popularize the law” to raise public awareness of rule of law for ecological conservation. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the public attention to ecological and
environmental issues has climbed to an unprecedented level, but people’s awareness of environmental rights and participation remains low, and their understanding
of the ecological environment limited. Especially when their own interests are not
threatened, most people are indifferent or passive toward environmental pollution. To
realize the rule of law in ecological conservation, the key is to create a law-abiding
society which will promote law enforcement and save judicial resources. While
implementing Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, we should regard raising
public awareness of the rule of law as a fundamental task, uphold the principle that
“whoever enforces the law shall popularize the law,” effectively strengthen education
on laws for ecological conservation, and help enhance the rule-of-law awareness
across the society. New ways must be introduced to seek actual results. By interpreting law with individual cases, publishing legal documents online, publishing
guiding cases, typical cases and procuratorial announcements, and making public
delivery of procuratorial recommendations, procuratorial organs can increase public
knowledge about relevant regulations and environmental protection, and guide the
public to deeply participate in ecological and environmental protection in an orderly
manner. We should provide unimpeded channels for the public to report and expose
environment and resources offense, raise public awareness of the rule of law and environmental protection, and encourage and increase public participation in ecological,
environmental and resources conservation.
Third, we shall help improve the system for public participation in ecological
and environmental protection. Environmental protection cannot rely on the government alone. The abuse of decision-making power and the lack of public participation
caused by the “government failure” are the root cause for the legal dilemma facing
environmental governance. The people’s strong demand for environmental information, knowledge, and culture is unprecedented. In the Environmental Protection
Law implemented in 2015, there is a chapter “Information Disclosure and Public
Engagement” which for the first time stipulates that “citizens, legal persons and
other organizations shall be entitled to the right of acquiring the environment information…” The disclosure of environment information concerns the people’s right to
know, to participate, to express and to supervise. While raising citizens’ awareness of
the rule of law on the environment, procuratorial organs should, in the course of case
handling, actively put forward procuratorial suggestions against the lack of procedural environmental rights granted to citizens, prompt the government to improve
the environmental protection supporting system, ensure the effective implementation