14. Natural Resource and Environmental Issues in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

Abstract

The proposals received and placed on file after being reviewed at the 2008 sessions of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) add up to 4,663. Among these, 96 proposals were on natural resources and the environment, accounting for 2.06% of the total. These proposals focused on issues like resource prices and tax reform, revision of resource regulations and laws, adjustment of resource benefit distribution, development and management of water resources, protection of biodiversity, energy supply management, development and management of renewable energy, environmental protection management, and public participation in environmental protection. Many of the problems concerning natural resources and the environment remain unsolved, mainly because of inadequate laws and mechanism. Therefore, these proposals emphasize legal means and mechanisms for solutions. In comparison with administrative measures, most proposals favor market-based instruments. Relatively speaking, the role of public participation in environmental protection has not received due attention. Keywords: Chinese People's Political and Consultative Conference; environmental issues; environmental protection; environmental protection management; natural resource; protection of biodiversity; public participation; renewable energy; water resources