Environmental Law: A 21st Century Curriculum Textbook

Author: Wang Jin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Environmental Law is one of the national-level teaching materials for the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" in general higher education, organized by the Ministry of Education. This textbook is divided into twelve chapters and systematically discusses the general concepts, basic principles, and fundamental systems of environmental law, as well as the main contents of various environmental and resource protection legal systems. Through comparative studies, it provides in-depth analysis and discussion on the latest developments in environmental legislation abroad (regions) and some theoretical issues of modern environmental law. The introductory part of the textbook primarily addresses several fundamental theoretical issues in environmental law research, including the concept of the environment and its connections and distinctions with related concepts, the causes and countermeasures of environmental problems, the concept and research objects of environmental law, a historical review of environmental law, the position of environmental law in the legal system, and research methods in environmental law. The general part of the textbook on environmental law discusses the concept of environmental law, its evolution and formation, the basic ideas and principles of environmental law, fundamental environmental laws and systems, environmental administrative agencies and law enforcement, and other related topics. The specific part of the textbook on environmental law primarily examines the legislative background, current status, and issues of major laws in China, such as the Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Law, Nature Protection Law, Material Cycle Management and Energy Conservation Law, Environmental Injury Relief Law, and Environmental Offense Punishment Law, as well as the specific contents of various environmental and resource protection legal systems, making corresponding comparisons with foreign environmental legal systems. Additionally, the specific part also discusses the concept of international environmental law, its main contents, and China's practice in international environmental law. Environmental law (classified as "Environmental and Resource Protection Law" in the secondary discipline classification of Chinese law) is a new and marginal discipline in law. In view of this, the textbook not only comprehensively discusses the basic concepts, knowledge, and theories of environmental law but also establishes special sections such as case analyses, charts, and columns to analyze and explain related knowledge and difficult issues in practice. Furthermore, the textbook includes a chapter content outline and learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, as well as a chapter summary, questions and discussions, and recommended reading materials at the end of each chapter. At the end of the textbook, there is an overview of the environmental and resource protection-related laws, regulations, rules, and judicial interpretations covered, an overview of important international environmental treaties (declarations, agreements), brief introductions to some renowned environmental non-governmental organizations in China and the international community, main references, and a bibliography and index, providing learners with convenient access to in-depth understanding and mastery of environmental law knowledge.