Based on the statistical data of sudden environmental incidents in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China from 2008 to 2021, the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors were analyzed by employing regression analysis, exploratory spatial analysis, and geographic detectors, aiming to provide references for the construction of ecological civilization. The results demonstrate as follows: (1) The quantity of sudden environmental incidents in China exhibited an inverted V-shaped structure with 2013 as the turning point, showing an overall decreasing trend, and the occurrence frequency of sudden environmental incidents significantly decreased after 2014. (2) The months with the highest occurrence frequency of sudden environmental incidents were July and August, followed by May and June, while the lowest occurrence frequency months were November and December. (3) The frequency distribution was uneven, with the highest frequency in the eastern coastal comprehensive economic zone and the lowest frequency in the northeastern comprehensive economic zone. The hotspots and coldspots of sudden environmental incidents in provinces revealed that the H-H region first increased, then decreased, the L-L region had relatively more events, the L-H region remained relatively stable, and the H-L region exhibited a fluctuating pattern of decreasing, then increasing, and then decreasing again. (4) The total population, GDP per capita, and the added value of the secondary industry were the main driving factors for sudden environmental incidents in China based on geographical detector analysis, while the level of pollution control and the legal environment played a suppressive role in the occurrence of sudden environmental incidents. The occurrence of sudden environmental incidents is the result of the comprehensive effects of multiple factors.