China makes first change to environment laws in 25 years

China has implemented stricter punishments for polluters in the first amendment to its environmental protection law for 25 years. In an effort to curb water and air pollution that has plagued the country in recent years, heavy polluters throughout the country will now face harsher punishments.

The central government has taken several steps to limit the air, water and soil pollution that are the product of decades of strong economic growth. Companies that are classed as heavy polluters will now face larger fines.

Although fines were put in place previously, companies were willing to pay them and continue operations in the same way as the loss did not outweigh the benefits. This is no longer the case, meaning one of the key obstacles to cleaning up the country could now be removed.

The latest revised draft of China's Environmental Protection Law means there are no limits on the fines that can be awarded to polluters. This means it will work out much cheaper for companies to install emissions-reducing equipment than to pay the fines. As of January 2015, companies will have to ensure they are operating in a much cleaner manner or risk hefty penalties.

It would seem, due to the changes in law and other measures implemented over the last year, that China is now taking its risk to the environment seriously after placing economic growth at the forefront of policy. According to the government's website, environmental protection will now be placed as the basic policy for the country.

China is currently the largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, fuelled by industry and its reliance on coal as a fuel source. This has resulted in large areas of land, the vast majority of available water and the air throughout the country becoming highly polluted. Recent reports from the government have highlighted the extent of the damage and the risk to human health.

However, the country must now look to proper implementation of the new law in order to achieve the desired reductions in pollution. More guidelines on how to reduce pollution are still needed to ensure the companies understand how to abide by the changes.