China's Environmental Law In Action

China's economy and GDP numbers have been the envy of the rest of the world for many years, but not without a serious cost. Economic losses resulting from environmental pollution in 2010 alone is estimated to have reached up to RMB 1.1 trillion, accounting for 2.5% of GDP in 2010. Despite China's growing wealth, its people are plagued by polluted air, toxic soil and contaminated water.

Commentators have blamed the worsening environment on the poor enforcement of China's environmental law regime. Indeed, while China has promulgated dozens of environmental regulations, enforcement has been far from satisfactory. In many ways the law has been a "paper tiger", with enforcement efforts frequently compromised by economic priorities. Despite the law, non-compliance has been rampant.