Authority's green credentials boosted

China will establish a new government body by building on the current environmental authority, giving it more responsibilities.

In addition to the original responsibilities of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the new body will also shoulder part of the responsibilities that now belong to six government departments, all of which are related to the environment, according to the plan for the institutional restructuring of the State Council, which was presented to the first session of the 13th National People's Congress for deliberation.

The current responsibilities of the National Development and Reform Commission, or the country's top economic planner, on tackling climate change and emission reduction will be transferred to the new environmental body.