The role of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is becoming increasingly important in a world of interconnected environmental and development challenges. Fostering international cooperation is widely considered to be the only viable path to achieving global sustainability objectives. The CCICED builds bridges by bringing together researchers and experts from around the world.
In addition to providing a platform for global collaboration, the CCICED has delivered cross-cutting research on environment and development since its inception in 1992. The organization produces various annual reports and provides a direct channel to high-level national decision-making. Specifically, the recommendations from its research reports—known as Special Policy Studies (SPSs)—are submitted directly to the State Council through China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
CCICED’s research efforts, which include SPSs, scoping studies, and articles, are structured under four main task forces covering the core themes of the five-year research phases. The task forces of the current research phase are:
- Innovation in global environmental governance;
- Low-carbon and inclusive transition;
- Sustainable production and consumption system; and
- National green governance.
Chinese and international experts are engaged in each SPS research team, bringing together various perspectives, experiences, and insights. The integration of CCICED’s recommendations into policies and practices is detailed in an annual impact report.
The current SPS topics are:
- Climate governance;
- Energy transition;
- Technology innovation;
- International development;
- Nature;
- Oceans;
- Green finance; and
- Circular economy.
In addition, the High-Level Task Force on China’s Environment and Development Outlook brings together leading Chinese and international experts to review progress, assess trends and challenges, and inform China’s strategies for its 2035 and mid-century environmental targets. The High-Level Task Force is co-chaired by Xie Zhenhua, China’s former climate envoy, and Achim Steiner, the UN Development Programme’s former administrator, both CCICED Vice Chairpersons.
The 2026 CCICED Annual General Meeting, the flagship event in CCICED’s calendar, will be held in Beijing, China, on September 27–29 in Beijing, China, under the theme “Pragmatic and Innovative Cooperation, Advancing Together for Green Development.”
In advance of the 2026 AGM, a site visit to Shanxi Province will be organized for CCICED Members and Special Advisors, offering an opportunity to gain a first-hand experience of China’s green transition efforts.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting are Asterios Tsioumanis, Ph.D.; Richard de Ferranti; and Vijay Kolinjivadi, Ph.D. The Digital Editor is Diego Noguera. The Editor is Leila Mead.
To receive free coverage of global environmental events delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the ENB Update newsletter.
