Historic move to streamline departments

Move to better protect the environment

The proposed Ministry of Ecological Environment will help integrate urban and rural areas for strengthen supervision and law enforcement, and to better control and prevent air, soil and water pollution. This is important for reducing environmental problems, safeguarding the country’s ecological security, and building a beautiful China.

Take the task of reducing water pollution for example. Previously, the groundwater and watershed management, and agricultural pollution control duties were shared by several ministries and commissions such as the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture, which resulted in the overlapping of management responsibilities and a buck-passing tendency.

Therefore, after similar functions of different ministries and institutions are integrated, the responsibilities and duties will rest with one department. The Ministry of Ecological Environment, as the main body, will set policies, plans and standards to control and prevent pollution and fight environment-related crimes.

That the new Ministry of Ecological Environment will now be responsible for fighting climate change and curbing emissions will also help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions on a larger scale.

However, the massive reshuffle will also create some challenges, including how to realign the functions of multiple ministries and commissions to effectively integrate shared responsibilities. And since the existing Ministry of Environmental Protection has focused its attention on controlling air, soil and water pollution, the added responsibilities could distract the new ministry’s focus and disperse its limited resources.

Therefore, while giving more responsibilities to the Ministry of Ecological Environment, the higher authorities should also provide it with more resources and personnel to better perform its duties. Besides, the new ministry should also continue the good practice of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which, for instance, includes disclosing information on and encouraging public participation in environmental protection measures, and mobilizing multiple forces to promote green and sustainable development.

Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, a Beijing-based environmental NGO. This is an excerpt from his interview with China Daily’s Yao Yuxin.