For better green governance

In the Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, issued by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee, the words "participation" and "transparency/open" appear 19 and 18 times.

Transparency and public participation have been emphasized by the plenum document to enhance the credibility of government decisions and to improve the management of public affairs at the grassroots level.

Environmental protection is an important function that the government has to perform. Public participation in environmental governance issues, particularly in environmental planning decisions, has been and continues to be a hot topic for China. The recent order of the State Council to enhance public information dissemination and transparency of public authorities is an important step to facilitate more effective environmental governance.