The System of Accountability for Eco-Environmental Damage

This system is designed to hold individuals and entities accountable for failing to perform their duties in eco-environmental conservation.

In a document on promoting an eco-civilization, issued in April 2015, the central authorities decided to build a sound system of accountability and implement an eco-environmental accountability system for leading officials. Those who fail to ensure rational development and cause serious damage to natural resources and the environment will be identified and held accountable for life. They will not be allowed to be promoted or take important posts, and those who have already transferred to other posts will still be held accountable.

Following this document, the central authorities issued another document in August 2015, with stipulations about how to hold leading Party and government officials accountable for eco-environmental damage.

This system of accountability was included in the overall plan to reform the system for developing an eco-civilization, issued by the central authorities in September 2015, which enforced lifelong accountability.

The formulation of these documents demonstrates the determination of the CPC and the Chinese government to build an eco-civilization.

生態文明責任追究制度

生態文明責任追究制度，即對沒有盡到生態保護與發展職責的相關責任主體實行嚴格的責任追究，要求其承擔相應后果。2015年4月，中共中央、國務院印發《關于加快推進生態文明建設的意見》，要求完善責任追究制度，建立領導干部任期生態文明建設責任制，嚴格責任追究，對違背科學發展要求、造成資源環境生態嚴重破壞的要記錄在案，實行終身追責，不得轉任重要職務或提拔使用，已經調離的也要問責。同年8月，中共中央辦公廳、國務院辦公廳印發《黨政領導干部生態環境損害責任追究辦法（試行）》，首次對追究黨政領導干部生態環境損害責任作出制度性安排。同年9月，中共中央、國務院印發《生態文明體制改革總體方案》，進一步提出了包括責任追究制度在內的8項根本制度，要求建立生態環境損害責任終身追究制。這一系列生態文明建設政策文件的出臺，體現了中國共產黨和中國政府建設生態文明高度負責的勇氣和決心，標志著國家生態文明建設進入實質問責階段。