China's environmental impact assessment reform from the perspective of public-private collaboration

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment is the scientific assessment and administrative review of the potential environmental pollution risks of construction projects. The allocation of the relevant authorities in the EIA approval process is an important task of the EIA law. In order to analyze the justification of the direction of clarifying the cooperation of multiple subjects in the reform of China's environmental impact assessment law, this study, on the basis of contract theory and incentive compatibility principle, compared the institutional roles of the above-mentioned three subjects for integrated utility optimization, by weighing their interests in the EIA procedure. It can be found that not only the excessive guidance by the central government on local EIA procedures is detrimental to the sustainable development of local economies, but the independence of local governments in conducting EIA procedures will lead to the EIA procedures giving way to economic development goals. As a conclusion, only under the guidance of the concept of public-private collaboration, the central government, local governments, and the public jointly play an important role in the EIA system. This study will provide a theoretical basis for a new round of revision of China's EIA law, which will ultimately achieve the goal of good governance of the EIA system by enhancing the practical effects of public participation.