ACEE and World Bank Co-organizes Workshop on “Belt and Road Initiative” Environmental Management

Co-organized by ACEE and World Bank, the workshop on “Belt and Road Initiative” environmental management was held in Beijing from 4-5 June, 2015. Representatives from International Department of MEP, EIA Department of MEP, International Financial Cooperation Department of MOF, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, Beijing Normal University, Nankai University, Hehai University, Hong Kong Chinese University, WRI attended the workshop.

“Belt and Road Initiative” (Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) is the first significant initiative proposed by a developing country for promoting the sustainable development of the world. Chinese government stipulated in the Prospects and Actions for Promoting the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road that during the investment abroad, the principle of ecological civilization should be adhered to by strengthening international cooperation on ecological protection, biodiversity protection and adapting to climate change in order to co-build a green Silk Road. During the workshop, participants shared their views on the environmental and social challenges of “the Initiative”, proposed a preliminary environmental and social responsibility framework for “the Initiative”, raised suggestions on SEA of “the Initiative” and environmental and social risks management of foreign investment, etc.

The participants also discussed about the future tasks for the environmental management of“the Initiative”. ACEE plans to make efforts in the following fields: first, to formulate the environmental and social responsibility framework of “the Initiative”; second, to carry out SEA of the “the Initiative”in order to predicate the environmental and social risks of key regions and industries and to raise policy suggestions for the sustainable development of host countries; third, to develop environmental and social management tools for foreign investment to provide service to relevant management units and industries; fourth, to establish a technical exchange platform combining both research and application capacity at home and abroad.