Biodiv Sci ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 24027.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024027

• Special Feature: Biodiversity Conservation Regulations and Policies • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Reflections on biodiversity legislation in China’s new era

Fuwei Zhao*(), Yingshuo Li, Hui Chen   

  1. Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042
  • Received:2024-01-23 Accepted:2024-03-23 Online:2024-05-20 Published:2024-05-23
  • Contact: E-mail: zhaofuwei@outlook.com

Abstract:

Background: China boasts abundant biodiversity, positioning it among the world’s most biologically diverse nations. Despite notable strides in biodiversity conservation at both national and international levels, evidenced by China’s leadership in advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, domestic biodiversity legislation has conspicuously lagged behind these advancements over the past decade.

Review results: The State has issued a series of laws and regulations, including the Forest Law, the Wild Animal Protection Law, and the Seed Law, addressing various aspects of biodiversity, encompassing ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. These laws primarily aim at conservation while considering the rational utilization of resources, thereby laying the groundwork for a preliminary legal framework for biodiversity management. However, despite these efforts, the existing biodiversity-related legislation remains significantly inadequate in meeting the requirements of modernization for fostering harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. This inadequacy is attributed to outdated legislative concepts, insufficient systematic legislation, and the incomplete composition of key legal systems.

Recommendations: In light of the forthcoming Ecological Environment Code, the State should endeavor to establish a comprehensive legal framework for biodiversity in this forthcoming Code that encompasses all three levels of biodiversity: ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. This legal system should fully ensure the achievement of all the objectives of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of its components, and equitable benefit-sharing in a balanced manner. To achieve this, a scientifically grounded and logically structured legislative framework with comprehensive and systematic institutional components is imperative. Embracing the concept of the earth’s life community and the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, China must strive to lead global biodiversity governance.

Key words: biodiversity legislation, ecological environment code, harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, bio-genetic resources, benefit-sharing