A New Policy of Water Resources and Environmental Regulation in China

Abstract

As a developing country, China is facing serious water pollution and scarcity, which indicates the need for integrated water-resource and environmental regulations. Zoning policies have undergone significant advancements to enhance water-resource utilization in China. However, conflicts and overlaps still exist among these policies. To integrate these zoning policies and regulations, the “Three Lines One Permit” (TLOP) water-environment policy was formulated as a new framework, which included the goal for water quality, upper limits on water-resource utilization, and a permit list. This study presents the main achievements of the TLOP as a case-study in Jinan. The territories of Jinan were divided into 158 water-environment control-units (WECUs) and classified into two types of protected zones, three types of pollution-control zones, and ordinary zones. The total maximum pollutant-loads in the 158 WECUs, and 138 townships were calculated. The water-resource-utilization indicator values and ecological demand of key rivers were specified. The permit lists for the water environment at macroscale, mesoscale, and microscale were compiled from four perspectives: spatial constraints, emissions control, risk prevention, and resource utilization. Finally, suggestions were proposed to promote a more scientific and efficient TLOP policy to enhance human–water harmony.

Impact of Environmental Regulation on Export Technological Complexity of High-Tech Industries in Chinese Manufacturing

“…This baseline result is also supported by existing works. For example, Zhang et al have found that the intensity of China's environmental regulation and process production technology showed a "U-shaped" relationship that first decreased and then increased in the Eastern and Central regions (Zhang et al 2011); Yu focused the attention on China's industrial industry and believed that the size of environmental binding forces and the complexity of the industry's export technology also showed a "U-shaped" impact relationship (Yu 2015); and the research results of Peng et al also show that the relationship between environmental regulations and export product quality upgrades shows a "U-shaped" impact relationship that first decreases and then increases, and China is still in a declining stage (Peng et al 2016).…”