With issues ranging from green technology to building an ecological civilization on the agenda, the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) will convene its Annual General Meeting under the theme “For Nature and Humanity: Building a Community of Life Together.” The meeting will be held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of this meeting, participants will gather virtually in a series of open forums and plenary sessions to consider, inter alia: the role of the ocean in carbon neutrality; green tech innovation; China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; building an ecological civilization; implementation of China’s 2060 carbon targets; global green value chains; and managing river areas in times of climate change.

On the last day of the meeting, CCICED Chief Advisors Shijin Liu and Scott Vaughn will introduce the research outcomes of the Special Policy Studies conducted by the Task Forces on: global governance and ecological civilization; green urbanization and environmental improvement; innovation, sustainable production, and consumption; and green energy, investment, and trade.

Established in 1992, CCICED is a high-level international advisory body composed of experts from governments, businesses, international organizations, research institutions, and social organizations from China and abroad. CCICED studies critical environmental and development issues facing China and provides policy recommendations to the Chinese government. By providing a platform for international exchange on sustainable development, the Council seeks to “enable the international community to understand China and support China’s engagement in the world.” CCICED pursues this aim by carrying out cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary research that integrates environmental, economic, and social concerns and draws on advanced international concepts, policies, technologies, and best practices.

Since its inception, CCICED has undertaken hundreds of research projects and put forward policy recommendations on such issues as pollution control, cleaner production, biodiversity conservation, energy and environment, circular economy, low-carbon economy, ecological compensation, the social dimensions of environmental protection, sustainable consumption, media and public participation policies, corporate social responsibility, green supply chain, and green finance. The Council has also partnered with national and local authorities to pilot its policy recommendations, including those on sustainable consumption, environmental information disclosure, and environmental risk management. CCICED’s annual policy recommendations are circulated as official government documents to China’s State Council and local governments, supporting policy makers at all levels. Many of the Council’s recommendations have been incorporated into subsequent policies, institutions, systems, and standards.

The meeting will take place from 7-10 September 2021 in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.