Kathmandu— Chinese officials found responsible for serious ecological and environmental damage will now face lifetime accountability, regardless of their current or former position, according to a recently released policy document. The updated rules, issued jointly by the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, detail the circumstances leading to official accountability and the potential disciplinary actions. This revision expands the 2015 framework to include senior officials in public institutions, development zones, and state-owned enterprises, reflecting a commitment to ‘high-quality development’ focused on green and low-carbon growth.

Expanding Scope of Accountability

The updated policy broadens the scope of who can be held responsible for environmental damage. Previously focused primarily on leading Party and government officials, the revised rules now encompass senior figures within public institutions, development zones, and state-owned enterprises. This expansion aims to ensure a more comprehensive approach to ecological protection across all levels of governance.

Commitment to Carbon Neutrality

China has set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions, pledging to reach peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The revised document explicitly states that local officials who fail to adequately support these efforts will also be held accountable, reinforcing the importance of environmental targets within performance evaluations.

Emphasis on Evidence-Based Accountability

A CPC Central Committee official from the Organization Department emphasized the need for precise and evidence-based accountability measures. The official noted that while strict enforcement is crucial, it should not discourage officials from diligently performing their duties or erode public trust in the Party and government. “It should neither dampen officials’ enthusiasm for work, nor undermine the credibility of the Party and the government,” they said.

Recent Enforcement Efforts

China has been actively increasing its efforts to protect the environment. During the second round of central ecological and environmental protection inspections—conducted from May 2020 to June 2022—a total of 3,371 individuals were held accountable for environmental failings. A third round of these inspections is currently in progress.

The revised accountability rules align with China’s recently enacted Ecological and Environmental Code, which came into effect on August 15th, signaling a strengthened legal framework for ecological protection.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.