Canada-China agreement on China Council on Environment and Development

PDF version - 577 kB

Objective

The objective of this agreement is to support Phase VI (2017-2022) of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (China Council), with the  goal  to promote global environmental sustainability through support for Chinese efforts to manage environmental issues.

Key elements

The MOU outlines the roles and responsibilities of both Canada and China under the China Council, including financial contributions to be provided by both parties and the expenses that could be covered by the Government of Canada and the People’s Republic of China as part of their contribution to the project.

The MOU confirms that Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will contribute up to $$8,012,400 in Phase VI of the China Council in order to financially support the Secretariat International Support Office of the China Council, located at Simon Fraser University, Canada. This MOU provides Canada an opportunity to work with China to enhance integration of environmental management, climate change and sustainable development considerations in Chinese policies, regulations, and practices by contributing to the understanding of these issues by Chinese senior leaders, policy-makers, and the public.

Expected results

The intended results of the CCICED Project is improved environmental management and sustainable development policies, regulations, and practices in China reflecting Chinese and international commitments to reduce global environmental impacts of development, specifically:

1. Changes in Chinese policies, regulations, and practices reflecting China Council  advice and recommendations on environmental management and sustainable development issues as well as Chinese and international commitments.
2. Chinese senior leaders, policy-makers, and the public have an increased understanding and awareness of environmental and sustainable development issues advocated by the China Council.
3. Adoption of measures by China to provide for continued international advice on environment, climate change and sustainable development issues.
4. Adoption of measures by China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection to enhance the functioning of the China Council, thereby supporting its ongoing sustainability.

Canada’s involvement

Canada helped to establish the China Council in 1992  through the former Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Canada has been the lead international donor to the China Council since inception.

This agreement is also important due to China’s critical importance on a global scale with respect to environment and sustainable development issues. The China Council is an important forum to help advance environmental issues with China that not only have domestic impacts but also have far-reaching impacts beyond its borders that can affect the environment and health of Canadians.

Results / progress

Activities

On April 1, 2013, ECCC became the lead Canadian agency for the China Council, taking over from CIDA.  As part of the transition, ECCC negotiated the MOU with the Ministry of Commerce as a subsidiary arrangement to the 1983 General Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Development Cooperation.

Environment and Climate Change Canada also negotiated a contribution agreement with Simon Fraser University to act as the Canadian executing agency for the China Council. It is through this agency that Canada’s funds to the Council are channelled.

As the lead international donor to the China Council, Canada appoints the International Executive Vice-Chair which is responsible for co-chairing the Annual General Meeting alongside the Chinese Minister of Environmental Protection.  Since 2012, ECCC has provided support to the International Executive Vice-Chair (ECCC’s Minister) who has had the opportunity to meet with key senior Chinese officials.

Reports

Each year, task forces and special policy study teams submit research with policy recommendations to the Annual General Meeting of the China Council.  From these, a consolidated report of all the year’s policy recommendations (Annual Policy Report) is then submitted to the Premier and Government of China for wider circulation among policy makers.

After the Annual General Meetings each year, all of the task force, special policy study reports and the Annual Policy Report are posted on the China Council website. Similarly, the China Council also posts on its website its overall Annual Work Plans and Annual Reports for public consumption.

To comply with its contribution agreement with ECCC, the Canadian executing agency at Simon Fraser University submits quarterly and annual reports to ECCC to report on how the Canadian funds for the China Council project are spent.

Results

In 2013, ECCC become the lead Canadian agency for the China Council and with the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection, successfully co-chaired the Council’s 2012, 2013 and 2014 and 2016 Annual General Meetings.