The Role of Environmental NGOs in Sustainable Development in China CHEN Ying Research Centre for Sustainable Development (RCSD) Chinese Academy of Social.

The Role of Environmental NGOs in Sustainable Development

in China

CHEN Ying

Research Centre for Sustainable Development (RCSD)

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)

CASS-Nottingham Environmental Infrastructure Workshop, 22 – 24 June, 2005

Content

The Development of Environmental NGOs in China Driving Forces for the Development of Env. NGOs Roles of Env. NGO in Sustainable Development Debate between Env. Activists and Scientists Promoting Public Participation to Sustainable

Development in China

1. The Development of Env. NGOs in China

Civil societies: Institutions, academic and industrial associations

(mainly funded by government) Real NGO: Self-established organizations without

government support (manpower and finance)

Current situation: 2000 env. civil societies in China including 50-60

grass root organizations Millions of participants, over 100 thousand members

for the largest one Regional offices by international NGOs

Env. NGOs and Activists in China

FON, the first env. NGO, founded in 1994

Global Village of Beijing (GVB), founded in 1996

Green Earth Green Earth VolunteersVolunteers

founded in 1996

Liao Xiaoyi Wang Yongchen

Liang Congjie

Oversea Env. NGOs Disembarkation

Greenpeace International’s global activities to celebrate Kyoto Protocol entry into forces on Feb.26, 2005

Germany Belgium Australia

India China Japan

2. Driving Forces for the Development of Env. NGOs

Compatibility of the aims for government and env. NGOs in sustainable development

Open minded env. management authorities

Activists devoted themselves to environmental protection

2. Driving Forces for the Development of Env. NGOs

International Assistance Global Village of Beijing (GVB) : received 3.2million

RMB (0.4 million $) from Fort Foundation, WWF etc. during 1996-1999.

Friends of Nature (FON): 1.32 of total 2.53million RMB (over 50%) came from international donation during March 1995 – Sept. 1999.

2. Driving Forces for the Development of Env. NGOs

Women and the youth non-professional env. NGOs participation “Protection Mother River- Green

Hope Project”

Understanding and support from the public Particularly from university students

3. Env. NGOs’ Role in Sustainable Development

Public awareness raising through the media, such as

“Time for Environment”, a popular TV program on China Central Television

through lectures to school students

at community level

3. Env. NGOs’ Role in Sustainable Development

Campaigns to protect environment Saving the birds planting trees collecting litters community-based activities, such as recycling program

3. Env. NGOs’ Role in Sustainable Development

Concern on environmental quality to enhance

enforcement of industrial pollution control and

conservation projects at the local level

Participation in decision-making processes of

sustainable development as stakeholders to

change environmental policies

Alliance with National Environmental

Protection Administration (NEPA)

Example 1: Nujiang Hydropower Development Project

Example 1: Nujiang Hydropower Development Project

Example 2: Yuanminyuan Inheritance Park Water-saving Project

Other examples

Debate and discussion on new location of Beijing Zoo

“Environmental Protection Storm 2005” NEPA investigated 30 projects of 13 provinces under

construction without “env. impacts assessment report”,

Beijing Olympic Organization Committee employed env. activists as env. consultants

4. Debate Between Env. Activists and Scientists

Are they real representatives of public interests?

Can they insist on independence, allying with the government?

Is their attitude to environment rational or extreme?

Example: Nujiang Hydropower Development Project

5. Promoting Public Participation to Sustainable Development in China

BarriersRegistration: non-profit organizationFunding: government, corporation, individuals Legal status:

“Law of Environmental Impacts Assessment”

5. Promoting Public Participation to Sustainable Development in China

Support Policies & MeasuresAwareness of the governmentLegislationInstitutional innovation to promote cooperation

between the government and env. NGOsCooperation and union among env. NGOsEntry of International env. NGOs and their

adaptation to domestic circumstancesCapacity building of env. NGOs

All-China Environment Federation

All-China Environment Federation

Newly founded on April 22, 2005 (Earth Day) Driven by NEPA under designation of two Vise-Primers Chairman: Vise President of the People’s Political

Consultative Conference (PPCC) Cochairmen: include both of the Director of NEPA and the

leader of FON, the largest grass root env. NGO 316 Directors include 101 former ministry-level officials at

their capacities To unite and integrate all env. NGOs to promote public

participation in sustainable development

Email: [email protected]