China Establishes "Experimental Environmental Courts"

China, a country with enormous environmental challenges largely related to the rapid development of its economic basic, has established several experimental environmental courts.

According to a report in a recent issue of the BNA Daily Environment Report ("Experimental Environmental Courts in China Start to Take Shape as New Legal Authorities," June 26, 2009), the country has set up test courts in the provinces of Guizhou, Jiangsu, and Yunnan.

An attorney in the Natural Resources Defense Council Beijing office, Gao Jie, told the Daily Environment Report:

"Looking back at the original intention for establishing environmental courts in places like Guizhou, we can see that the institutions began with a highly experimental nature.  Good results could then lead to wide implementation, and any problems and challenges revealed by the first set of environmental protection courts could influence directional changes and policy modifications."  

The entire article is worth reading for those interested in how these courts are working.

One thing is for sure: there will be no lack of work for these courts.