The days of pursuing profits and growth no matter what the cost may be coming to an end in China.

China's minister for environmental protection said Monday all future industry projects will be required to include assessments of the risk they pose to social stability.

Zhou Shengxian told reporters the change was motivated by growing concern about the environmental impact such projects were having as well as to problems with the current evaluation and approval process.

He also said it was natural too see such concerns, which he called the 'not in my backyard' phenomenon, once a society develops to a certain level

Zhou made the comments on the sidelines of the country's 18th Party Congress, during which the country's next leadership team will be announced.

China has seen a series of large protests in response to planned industrial projects. One of the most recent took place last month in the eastern city of Ningbo, when thousands marched through the streets to oppose the expansion of a petrochemical plant.