Green NGOs Win China's First Environmental Public Interest Litigation: The Nanping Case

摘要

The September 2015 issue of News & Analysis looked at China's new Environmental Protection Law, including the first environmental public interest litigation (EPIL) case heard under it, the "Nanping case." On October 29, 2015, the court ruled in the environmentalists' favor. The decision sends a strong signal that Chinese courts have jurisdiction to enforce environmental laws beyond awarding money damages for pollution injuries. It may also signal a more active role for Chinese courts and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in protecting natural resources.