The System of Government Responsibility for Eco-Environmental Conservation

This system has been introduced to define the powers and responsibilities of government departments related to eco-environmental conservation and review and evaluate their performance. It has proved to be an effective measure for pollution control.

A component of the entire eco-civilization system, the system is also part of China's efforts to modernize the state governance system and capacity.

The system has the following institutional components:

(1) review of specific targets of emission reduction, environmental quality improvement and other tasks;

(2) comprehensive performance evaluation in relation to eco-environmental conservation to improve the review of local government performance;

(3) pilot review and evaluation to promote eco-civilization;

(4) division of work and responsibilities of relevant government departments; and

(5) an accountability mechanism based on the responsibility system.

Since 2012, as China advances its reform of the eco-civilization system across the board, the system of government responsibility for eco-environmental conservation also gradually becomes mature.

Speaking at the National Conference on Eco-environmental Protection in May 2018, Xi Jinping also put forth the idea of a responsibility system for fulfilling the goal of eco-environmental improvement.

In June 2018, the central authorities issued a document on reinforcing eco-environmental protection and fighting pollution. The document emphasized the importance of implementing the system of responsibility of leading officials, with Party and government officials both assuming responsibilities in eco-environmental conservation. As with other factors used in the evaluation of economic and social development, the indexes of resource consumption, environmental damage and ecological benefits will all be linked to officials' performance. Reasonable targets will be set, effective evaluation methods will be created, and rewards and sanctions will be introduced, to provide reliable guidance for building an eco-civilization. 

生態文明建設政府目標責任體系

生態文明建設政府目標責任體系，即以生態文明建設為目標，對政府部門相關主體明確權責配置并實施問責的體制機制，是生態文明體制的組成部分。完善這一體系，既是打好污染防治攻堅戰的內在要求和有效抓手，也是從責任政府維度推動“國家治理體系和治理能力現代化”的重要內容。

生態文明建設政府目標責任體系主要包括以下幾類制度安排：第一類，以具體減排指標、環境質量改善等具體任務為導向的目標考核；第二類，以調整地方政府績效考核為導向的綜合性生態文明目標評價體系；第三類，以生態文明建設目標為導向的，引導性的、試點性的考評體系；第四類，厘清生態文明建設領域相關部門常態化分工責任的制度安排；第五類，建立在責任體系基礎上的問責機制。

中共十八大以來，中國全面推進生態文明體制改革，生態文明建設政府目標責任體系日益成熟。2018年5月，習近平在全國生態環境保護大會上提出，建設以改善生態環境質量為核心的目標責任體系。2018年6月，中共中央、國務院發布《關于全面加強生態環境保護 堅決打好污染防治攻堅戰的意見》，進一步提出要落實領導干部生態文明建設責任制，嚴格實行黨政同責、一崗雙責。通過把資源消耗、環境損害、生態效益等體現生態文明建設狀況的指標納入經濟社會發展評價體系，建立體現生態文明要求的目標體系、考核辦法、獎懲機制，可以為推進生態文明建設提供重要導向和可靠保障。