The news release on safeguarding public environmental rights and interests was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 15, 2008. All-China Environment Federation (ACEF) said at the news briefing that with the deepening of environmental protection cause in each field of China and extensive improvement of public environmental and legal awareness, the public are increasingly concerned about their environmental rights and interests, and they have more initiative to take part in environmental protection and safeguard their environmental rights and interests. With the concept change and improvement of public awareness in safeguarding their environmental rights, general public have become an important social forces for facilitating the development and progress of environmental protection cause of China.

As the only civil organization safeguarding public environmental rights & interests in China authorized by SEPA, Environmental Law Service Center of ACEF has actively explored and practiced the theories, policies, laws, work methods & approaches on environmental rights and interests since its establishment and strived for the provision of practical and effective legal aid for the society and public, in particular the disadvantaged group. It has provided over 11,000 person?times of environmental law consultation for the public. It has received 636 various environmental complaints through telephones, environment e-mail and letters and intervened 212 pollution cases that damage public interests. It has established several channels for public complaints such as the telephone hotline (51230023) and network services (www.acef.com.cn). At present, environmental complaint cases are increasing day by day. It has provided over 6000 person?times of consultation services on environmental law, received more than 500 cases of various complaints and visits; 120 of them are complaints against serious environmental pollution. With such approaches as field investigation, visiting relevant enterprises, listening to the opinions of pollution victims, consulting, communicating and exchanging opinions with local environmental protection departments as well as putting forward written suggestions to local governments, the Center has facilitated government to enhance its efforts in supervising enterprises. In addition, with litigation and mediation methods, the Center has successful addressed 29 serious environmental pollution cases threatening community's health with strong public complaints that have not been addressed for a long time.

Safeguarding public environmental rights and interests is a public welfare cause with hard work and long way to go. It is also a brand new topic in our times. Environmental Law Service Center of ACEF will, on the basis of safeguarding public environmental rights & interests, actively keep forging ahead and explore new ways and bring the unique role of civil organization into full play in terms of promoting environmental protection cause and building a socialist harmonious society in China, making the work of safeguarding public environmental rights and interests at a new high.