Green NGOs Win China’s First Environmental Public Interest Litigation: The Nanping Case

December 2015
Citation:
45
ELR 11102
Issue
12
Author
Yanmei Lin and Jack Tuholske

The September 2015 issue of News & Analysis looked at China’s new Environmental Protection Law, including the first environmental public interest litigation case heard under it, the “Nanping case.” On October 29, 2015, the court ruled in the environmentalists’ favor. The decision sends a strong signal that Chinese courts have jurisdiction to enforce environmental laws beyond awarding money damages for pollution injuries. It may also signal a more active role for Chinese courts and nongovernmental organizations in protecting natural resources.

Yanmei Lin is an Associate Professor of Law and Associate Director at U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law at Vermont Law School. Jack Tuholske is Director of the Vermont Law School Water and Justice Program and a Technical Advisor to the Partnerships program.

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