The General Office of the State Council issued the “2026 Legislative Work Plan” on 8 May 2026. The Plan outlines legislative efforts across six key areas, one of which involves environmental and resource protection: Enhance public wellbeing and accelerate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development.

In the meanwhile, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) released its “2026 Legislative Work Plans”. These Plans provide important insights into China’s legislative priorities for the year ahead and highlight a number of key environmental laws and regulations that are expected to be drafted, revised, or advanced in 2026.

The key environmental regulations mentioned in the “2026 Legislative Work Plan”:

1. Revision of the Water Law and Renewable Energy Law

• Draft revision to the Water Law, which was drafted by the Ministry of Water Resources and summitted by the State Council, underwent an initial review by NPCSC in April 2026 in accordance with the Plans.
• Planned revision of Renewable Energy Law, which will be drafted and submitted by National People’s Council (NPC) Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation Committee, without setting specific timetable yet.
• Planned revision of Energy Conservation Law, which is in a list of “backup projects” for now.

2. Support for Ecological and Green Transition Measures

By accelerating the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, The State Council’s Plan specifically states that the following proposed administrative regulations are to be formulated or revised:

• Water Supply Regulations, drafted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development;
• Regulations on Nature Reserves (Revised), drafted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration;
• Implementing Regulations of the Mineral Resources Law, drafted by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

3. Follow-up legislation related to the Ecological and Environmental Code

The Regulations on the Environmental Risk Management of Chemical Substances have been listed among the administrative regulations to be prepared by the State Council in 2026, meaning that drafting work is expected to advance during 2026, but submission and promulgation may occur later, depending on progress. This initiative aligns with the Ecological and Environmental Code, which introduced a dedicated chapter on Risk Control of Chemical-Substance Pollution.

Following the adoption of the Ecological and Environmental Code by NPC in March 2026, China’s legislative work is expected to place greater emphasis on ecological conservation, pollution prevention and control, the circular economy, energy transition, and climate change. The Code is anticipated to serve as a more integrated legal framework for environmental governance and sustainable development.