The 2024 annual report on the development of environmental justice concludes a pivotal decade in China's push to institutionalize and professionalize its environmental judiciary.
The report, compiled by the environmental judicial research task force and the Institute of Ecological Civilization at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, highlights the country's transformation into a global leader in specialized adjudication of environment-related cases.
The report shows that by the end of 2024, a total of 2,424 dedicated adjudication bodies had been set up across the nation to handle environment- and resources-related cases. These institutions — ranging from environment and resources divisions to dispatched people's tribunals — form a robust, multi-tiered system that supports ecological protection through civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings. Provinces such as Hubei and Gansu have piloted distinctive models to tailor court structures to regional needs, while cross-regional and dispatched tribunals have emerged as flexible enforcement mechanisms.
The judicial framework continues to evolve under a “five-in-one” model that integrates organizational development, procedural innovation, rule-making, professional training, and theoretical guidance, according to the report. This includes systems for unified handling of criminal, civil, and administrative cases related to environment and resources, digital platforms for coordinated governance, and mechanisms for ecological restoration.
Over the past decade, the Supreme People's Court, together with the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, have issued 55 policy documents and released 876 typical cases in the environment and resources sector, the report notes. These efforts have created a foundational law-based structure governing river basin management, biodiversity protection, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Judicial officers have received consistent training through national conferences, forums, and academic collaborations, ensuring a steady supply of professionals to navigate complex ecological litigation.
The report notes that from 2014 to 2024, the number of environment- and resources-related cases first surged and then plateaued, reflecting the maturing impact of the specialized adjudication system. A prominent portion of environmental tort cases involve water and noise pollution, while administrative cases have grown in scope and specialization. Efforts to combat environmental crimes have yielded significant results, with a steady advancement in criminal justice work. Meanwhile, public interest litigation has emerged as a critical mechanism for defending ecological rights.
China's environmental justice efforts have become more involved in global discussions, according to the report. Through hosting international forums and judicial dialogues on climate change response and ecological protection, China has established its environmental judicial model as a potential reference for other countries.
The report frames environmental justice as a pillar of China's broader modernization drive. In line with national reform directives emphasizing harmony between humans and nature, it calls for systemic reforms to strengthen judicial infrastructure, diversify rules and procedures, and reinforce collaboration between civil, administrative, and criminal branches. A more rigid rule system, refined evidence standards, and optimized litigation pathways are seen as vital to improving governance efficiency in this field.