Focus on Arts and Ecology

Caixin reports that data released by the Tianjin Higher People’s Court shows an increase in environmental protection criminal cases filed in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The report was released at an event held by the Tianjin Higher People’s Court on World Environment Day and represents a shift towards utilisation of legal enforcement mechanisms in the battle for environmental protection.

However, only 1% of the pollution cases brought from 2014 to 2017 were related to air pollution while the vast majority (73%) of criminal cases were related to noise pollution. Low-value cases, defined as those less than one million yuan (approximately US$156,000), made up 87% of total cases. The yearly increases in cases brought to the court indicates a widening range of crimes being prosecuted and greater social engagement in proceedings, according to the report.