On November 30, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment held a regular press conference, attended by Zhao Ke, Director of the Department of Regulations and Standards of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
The meeting mentioned that the reform of compensation for ecological and environmental damage has been carried out for nearly eight years, and what results have been achieved in the compensation system for ecological and environmental damage
Director-General, Department of Regulations and Standards, Ministry of Ecology and Environment
Zhao Ke pointed out
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has done some work in strengthening top-level design, strengthening guidance and scheduling, and paying close attention to case practice.
Zhao Ke said
For three consecutive years, the compensation for ecological and environmental protection damage has been included in the assessment of provincial party committees and provincial party committees. All provinces have included compensation for ecological and environmental damage in the assessment of local pollution prevention and control. Another 24 provinces are included in the scope of provincial ecological and environmental protection inspections.
According to the introduction
The number of cases handled has increased year by year, with an average annual growth rate of 150 per cent. As of this year, the total number of cases handled is currently 3220,000 pieces. At the same time, the efficiency of case settlement is also improving, and compensation agreements are reached through consultation, compensation is encouraged to be repaired independently, and cases are efficiently concluded through consultation. As of this year, nearly 20,000 cases have been closed nationwide.
Next, Zhao Ke showed the typical cases of consultation to the reporters present, and focused on the case of Zhongshan City.
A copper industry in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province
Illegal discharge of wastewaterEcological and environmental damage compensation case
Case presentation
The case was handled by the Zhongshan Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment in Guangdong Province in conjunction with the procuratorate. The Zhongshan Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, together with the procuratorate and the local town, conducted two rounds of negotiations with the compensation obligor, and claimed punitive damages in view of the company's long-term malicious and illegal pollutant discharge. At the same time, it will work with the water conservancy department to carry out alternative restoration.
Figure: The illegal sewage discharge site of a copper industry in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province.
Typical significance
of the caseThe typical significance lies in the criminal and civil interaction of ecological damage compensation, and the illegal act of illegal sewage discharge is severely punished by simultaneously investigating the criminal, administrative and ecological environmental damage compensation liability of illegal enterprises. Because the case involves a long-term violation of the law by an enterprise, and the subjective malice is very strong, the application of punitive damages can increase the cost of violating the law, and at the same time help to prevent and curb possible illegal acts in the future. It is necessary to promote prevention, treatment, and reform through punishment.
*: South+, Ministry of Ecology and Environment.