As a global issue which has a profound impact on the survival and development of the human race, environmental protection has been drawing increasingly greater attention and concern from national governments, international organizations and people from all walks of life. Following China 's economic boom, environmental issues have been materializing with each passing day. Chinese citizens' environmental awareness has been increasingly enhanced while the Chinese government has been intensifying its efforts to improve legislation on environmental protection and the prevention of pollution. To keep abreast with the times, Zhonglun W&D has, from the time of its founding, prioritized legal services in relation to environmental protection through the establishment of a dedicated environmental protection legal department.

Zhonglun W&D's Environmental Protection Department consists of a number of lawyers who are enthusiastic in promoting public welfare as well as being professionally competent in terms of both specialized knowledge and legal representation. Each member of the team holds a master's or doctor's degree in law relating to this field. They have an intimate knowledge of the laws, regulations and policies on environmental protection and resource conservation, and have accumulated a wealth of experience in legal representation for the environmental protection authorities and well-known environmental protection organizations. The lawyers of this Department have been appointed as members of Special Committees on Environmental and Resources Laws by the All–China Lawyers Association, and as directors of the Committee of Environment and Resources Laws by the Beijing Law Society. They have also served as volunteer lawyers for the Research and Service Center of Environment and Resources Laws at the China University of Political Science and Law.

Zhonglun W&D's Environmental Protection Legal Service Department includes the following practice areas:
1. Legal Consultation
Attending to queries raised by natural persons, corporate entities and other organizations on legal issues pertaining to environmental protection and the laws, regulations and policies on environment and resources.

2. Environmental Protection Legal Advisor
· Acting as legal advisor to environmental protection authorities; advising administrative authorities on the performance of official duties in accordance with the law; and assisting environmental protection authorities in handling significant environmental pollution cases in a prompt, correct and legal manner.
· Acting as special environmental-protection legal advisor to enterprises, advising enterprises on laws governing the environment and natural resources; putting forward legal opinions and suggestions on environmental protection for enterprises when they are to make decisions on business operations; helping enterprises to abide by laws and regulations on environmental protection and to prevent any environmental pollution disputes so as to eliminate or reduce possible losses; advising enterprises on “clean-production” issues in their investment planning, technological renovations and business operations to enable a gradual adoption of environmentally friendly production.
· Acting as legal advisor to businesses in the environmental protection industry, and providing advice on environmental protection policies and legal developments so as to ensure increased economic efficiency and maximized results in business activities.
· Acting as legal advisor to environmental protection organizations, assisting them in carrying on public welfare activities and providing legal support so as to secure smooth running of such activities.

3. Special Environmental Protection Legal Service for Construction Projects
· Providing legal opinions on environmental protection for various investment projects.
· Providing special legal service for the approval of environmental protection construction projects as well as for the proper execution and performance of related contracts.
· Providing legal opinions for enterprises in relation to environmental impact assessments and pollution prevention strategies.

4. Lawsuits Related to Disputes over Environmental Pollution
· Representing victims of environmental pollution in civil suits including the initiation of lawsuits, attendance at court hearings, the conduct of negotiations for settlement, appeals to a higher court and applications for the execution of judgments or rulings.
· Representing defendants in lawsuits relating to disputes over environmental pollution damage including the filing of a defence and counterclaim, attendance at court hearings, the conduct of negotiations for settlement and appeals to a higher court.

5. Administrative Law Suits and Appeals for Reconsideration of Decisions
· Representing natural persons, corporate entities and other organizations whose legitimates interests have been infringed by environment protection authorities in applying for reconsideration of administrative decisions and representing the applicants in attending related proceedings.
· Representing third persons in applications for reconsideration of administrative decisions and attending related proceedings.
· Representing environment protection authorities whose administrative decisions are the subject of an application for reconsideration by presenting written replies with respect to the issues mentioned by plaintiff applicants, and attending related proceedings.
· Representing plaintiffs in environment-related administrative lawsuits including in the initiation of suits, attendance at court hearings, appeals to a higher court and application for execution of judgments.
· Representing defendants in environment-related administrative lawsuits including filing of a defence, attending court hearings and appealing to a higher court.
· Representing third parties in environment-related administrative lawsuits in participating in related lawsuits.

6. Representation and defence in criminal cases relating to “Undermining Environment and Resources Protection”
· When entrusted by criminal suspects in cases relating to “Undermining Environment and Resources Protection”, providing legal advice and representation in filing petitions and charges or obtaining guarantors pending trials.
· Where entrusted by criminal suspects or appointed by the Court, acting for defendants in criminal cases relating to “Undermining Environment and Resources Protection”.
· When entrusted by victims or close relatives of victims in criminal cases relating to “Undermining Environment and Resources Protection”, acting as agent ad litem and participating in the proceedings.

7. Hearings for Environment-Related Administrative Licensing
When entrusted by concerned persons in environment-related administrative licensing cases (including interested natural persons, corporate entities or other organizations with respect to the specific administrative licensing) or when entrusted by environment protection authorities, providing legal advice and suggestions on environment protection and attending environment-related administrative licensing hearings including hearings on examination and approval of environmental impact assessment reports.