All damages can not be compensated from the traditional environmental
tort compensation system. It is time for China to introduce punitive system for
environmental torts for the sake of ecological environment protection. We have to
identify the punitive system for environmental tort system and make it adaptable
to China’s reality. First, it is necessary to understand concepts of environment, tort,
environmental torts and punitive system. Second, there is an overview of punitive
systems for environmental torts both at home and abroad. At present, punitive systems
find no expressions in China’s environmental protection law but compensation
systems. To tackle serious environmental issues in China, it is justifiable to implement
the punitive system for environmental protection. This means, foreign punitive
systems of environmental protection guides work to our legislation and judicial
application, especially from America, Canada, France. Finally, fundamental torts
provides support to the rationality of it on the basis of social theory foundation,
economic theory analysis and legal basis. Meanwhile, specific details about punitive
systems for environmental torts include environmental governance social fund system,
environmental responsibility insurance system and public litigation and information disclosure system.