China has drafted a comprehensive environmental code that, following the 2021 Civil Code, would become the country’s second major legislative codification. The current draft comprises five parts and a total of 1,188 articles. It includes provisions on environmental law principles, transparency, and legal protection, as well as regulations on preventing and controlling environmental pollution, conserving nature, promoting green and low-carbon development, and law enforcement. The National People’s Congress (NPC) is set to adopt the code at its session of March 2026.

Commissioned by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), Professor Winter prepared an expert opinion on the draft that analyzes differences and similarities between the Chinese Code and European environmental law. Professor Winter also met repeatedly with members of the Chinese drafting committee to provide expert counseling on the matter.