CCAN NGOs provide recommendations for China’s new climate change legislation

In March 2011 it was announced that the Chinese government was going to launch an open process for a new piece of climate change legislation – a national Climate Change Law. The first stage of public opinion collection ended in September 2011. The NGOs from CCAN decided to take this unique opportunity and prepare a submission. Several workshops were held to review the existing environmental laws and define an expectation of NGOs for the Climate Change Law.

The NGOs also met the responsible official from the National Development and Reform Commission’s Climate Change Department to get updates from the government side regarding the process. Putting together the submission was real team work with several authors writing different parts of the submission, including guiding principles, structure, mitigation, adaptation, institutional settings, innovation, finance and public awareness. A core group put all the different parts together and sent to the wider NGO group for comments. The final version was sent to the NDRC just on time. In our submission we highlight the need for effectiveness, equity and transparency. It is just the beginning of NGO’s getting engaged in climate change lobbying and participating in these processes which previously have only been open to government think tanks and research organisations. CCAN will continue to facilitate internal discussions among NGOs, external dialogue with the government and campaigning on climate legislation.

For those not familiar with China’s existing climate change relevant legislation, here an overview of China’s existing institutional milestones and official documents of China’s actions in combating climate change:

• Renewable Energy Law (2005)
• National Climate Change Assessment Report (2007)
• National Climate Change Action Plan (2007)
• Energy Efficiency Law (2007)
• National Climate Protection Target – 40-45% carbon intensity reduction by 2020 (2009)
• 12th Five-Year Plan (2011)
• Climate Change Law (2012?) (keep your fingers crossed!!!)