Beijing, China—The Paulson Institute, in partnership with the Chinese Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), convened a group of top Chinese and international experts in Beijing for a two-day workshop with local officials from the Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei (Jing-Jin-Ji) region to exchange best practices and explore strategies to improve air quality in China. The group discussed ways to reduce air pollution and how China can build a stronger environmental enforcement system.
“This workshop has focused on positive, concrete steps that can help China resolve its air quality problems, by reviewing best practices from the international experience and recent research by Chinese and international experts,” said Elle Carberry, Managing Director of the Paulson Institute’s Climate Change and Air Quality Program. “We hope to help China design an advanced strategy based on pragmatic, proven solutions for how the nation can achieve its new regional approach to tackling air pollution.”
“The Chinese government is committed to tackling air pollution. It is a complicated system-engineering project that requires in-depth research and discussion. This workshop will be a platform for Chinese and international experts to exchange views and explore an advanced strategy to reduce air pollution,” said WEI Jianguo, Vice Chairman of CCIEE.
The experts participating in the workshop are focused on six areas:
- Helping to build consensus on key principles to drive China’s national strategy
- Devising recommendations for trans-border challenges in the air-quality improvement plans for the Jing-Jin-Ji area
- Emphasizing opportunities that simultaneously help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases emissions
- Identifying metrics, strategies, and institutional structures for measurement, compliance, and enforcement of environmental policies
- Mapping out coordinated strategies for working together in coming months
- Highlighting innovative proven international strategies to help accelerate progress in China
In the weeks after the workshop, which concluded on Friday, the experts will draft a set of key principles to guide a good clean air action plan, as well as a list of specific measures to tackle both air pollution and climate change for each industry sector. The experts will also develop a set of metrics to help with compliance and enforcement of government policies. The group will also offer further technical assistance for implementation of environmental policies in the Jing-Jin-Ji region. These bilingual outcome documents will be distributed to all workshop participants and used for further advocacy and education on the issue among key stakeholders in China.
The workshop follows the Paulson Institute’s recent launch of its new Climate Change and Air Quality Program, announced by Institute Chairman Hank Paulson at the Boao Forum for Asia in Seattle. Through research, engagement with multiple stakeholders, and advocacy, the program will advance efforts in the United States and China to curb the impacts of climate change and work toward solutions for the air pollution problem.
Other organizing partners include the Energy Foundation, Energy Innovation LLC, and Clean Air Alliance of China.
About the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE): Founded by Zeng Peiyan, former Vice Premier of the State Council, the China Center for International Economic Exchanges promotes international economic research and exchange and provides consulting services.
For more about the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, visit english.cciee.org.cn.