China issues judicial interpretation on Ecological and Environmental Code

BEIJING -- China's top court on Thursday issued a set of provisions, marking the first judicial interpretation supporting the country's Ecological and Environmental Code.

The provisions are designed to ensure a smooth legal transition between old and new laws and the full and accurate implementation of the Code.

The provisions will take effect simultaneously with the Code on Aug 15, according to the Supreme People's Court.

Consisting of 13 articles, the provisions clarify the general standards and specific rules for courts to apply old and new laws when hearing environmental cases after the Code takes effect.

They stipulate that, in principle, cases based on facts that occurred before the Code takes effect will generally be handled under the laws and judicial interpretations then in force, while those arising afterward will be governed by the Code.

The Ecological and Environmental Code was adopted by China's top legislature in March.

The 1,242-article Code has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.

The Code is aligned with China's pledges to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.