By Chen Jianpeng, Research Team on “Structural Reform and Policy Implementation for Ecological Improvement”, Research Department of Resources and Environmental Policy, DRC

Research Report, No. 80, 2020 (Total 5824) 2020-4-16

Abstract: The target responsibility system and accountability mechanism are the pillars of the system construction for China’s ecological improvement. They went through a period of exploration from 1980s to 2005, achieved further development from 2006 to 2015, and took shape after 2016. Since the convening of the 18th CPC National Congress, especially during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), the target responsibility system and accountability mechanism have gradually been full-fledged, consisting of evaluation of obligatory and special targets, comprehensive target appraisal, guided assessment, responsibility allocation, and an accountability mechanism. As we keep beefing up the system, the work of ecological improvement has witnessed refreshing changes. However, when it comes to the implementation, the local governments lack flexibility and tend to overdo it. To address these problems, efforts are needed in planning and optimizing the evaluation work as a whole, clarifying the responsibility of each entity and regulating the supervision and accountability procedure.

Keywords: ecological improvement, target responsibility system, accountability mechanism, construction