Comparing Policy Mixes and Freshwater Ecosystem Restoration Practices Results in Europe and China

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate current legal framework in EU and China regarding the improvement restoration of freshwater ecosystems. This policy study combines 1) the information gathered through the compilation of scientific literature regarding restoration practices in Europe and China, 2) the results from a Worksop session held in Beijing (6th and 7th of February 2018) and 3) an online survey regarding the evaluation of restoration projects developed in Europe and China. The diverse array of legislative pieces and obligations is set for different types of environmental problems, which is probably also a reflection of the maturation status of implementation of the several legislative pieces. The main degradation driver for restoration in Europe was the over-utilization of water resources (21.0%) and in China it was water pollution (29.4%). Another interesting aspect is that hydro-morphology restoration (28.6%) is the main restoration measure applied in the European projects surveyed, as opposed to threats removal in China (30.8%). This is probably due to the different implementation drivers in Europe and China, since the Water Framework Directive calls for the need on hydro-morphologic restoration, and in China all the main restoration drivers (1. the Three red lines of Most Stringent Water Resources Management; 2. Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution; and 3. the Law for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution) call for pollution control and removal.