The Systems for Ecological and Environmental Protection
The systems for ecological and environmental protection refer to the institutions, laws and regulations that aim to protect the eco-environment, promote an eco-civilization, ensure China's ecological security, and punish those who damage the ecology and pollute the environment.
The report to the CPC's 19th National Congress in 2017 announced the decision to implement the strictest possible systems for ecological and environmental protection. The 19th CPC Central Committee, at its fourth plenary session, included systems for ecological and environmental protection as an important part of the effort to uphold and improve socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernize China's state governance system and capacity. This signified that the institutional design which began after 2012 had become a component of the state governance system, and that the top-level design of an eco-civilization would now be implemented across the board.
The strictest possible systems for ecological and environmental protection emphasize a shift from end-of-pipe control to prevention at source, from regional treatment to control of the whole process, from control of point source pollution to comprehensive treatment of the entire river basins and regions concerned, and from addressing individual problems to taking a holistic approach to all mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands. Establishing these systems secures progress toward an eco-civilization. They are needed to address conflict between economic and social development and resource and environmental restraints, promote green development, and build a community of life formed by humanity and nature.
生态环境保护制度
生态环境保护制度，就是在坚持环境保护这一基本国策前提下，在生态环境领域内，建立有利于保护生态环境、打击破坏生态和污染环境行为的体制机制和法律法规等制度安排，以推动生态文明建设，维护国家生态安全。
中共十九大报告提出，实行最严格的生态环境保护制度。中共十九届四中全会将生态环境保护制度列入坚持和完善中国特色社会主义制度、推进国家治理体系和治理能力现代化的重要内容。这标志着中共十八大以来初步完成的生态文明建设的制度设计正在内化为国家治理体系的重要组成部分，生态文明建设正在从理论和制度上的顶层设计进入全面实施阶段。
最严格的生态环境保护制度设计，注重从末端治理转向源头预防、从局部治理转向全过程控制，从点源治理转向流域、区域综合治理，从个别问题整治转向山水林田湖草全覆盖的保护性治理。建立和完善最严格生态环境保护制度，是实现生态文明建设宏伟目标的重要保障，是缓解资源环境约束与经济社会发展之间矛盾、促进绿色发展、推动构建人与自然生命共同体的内在要求。