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Publication release - Environment and Development: India and China A book release workshop - for the joint China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) and India Council for Sustainable Development (ICSD) -for the book titled, "Environment and Development: China and India" was organized in Beijing on 27 December 2011. The book was a product of the collaborative research project between the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning (CAEP) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The study focuses on the nexus between environment and development - more specifically on the state of environment and how governments in the two countries has responded to environmental issues in the decade preceding the 2008 global financial crisis.
The book launch took place on 27 December 2010 (14:30-18:30) in the Beijing Capital Xindadu Hotel which is located in the capital's Chegongzhuang Street that houses many ministries and is also adjacent to the Finance Street. The event had participation from the Chinese government, Indian Embassy, Norwegian embassy, UN agencies (UNIDO and UNDP), research & academia, and the media. Following is a summary of some of the key points made. Zhu Guangyao (Secretary General, CCICED) introduced the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), which was established in 1992 (post Rio summit on environment and development) as a high ranking body that provides advisory support to the government of PRC on the topic of 'environment and. The Secretary General expressed interest continuing activities between the CCICED and ICSD.
Dr. R K Pachauri made remarks introducing the humble history of ICSD and talking briefly about ICSD (with Shri. Montek Singh Ahluwalia of Planning Commission as one of the patrons). He expressed interest in pursuing joint dialogues between the two councils (CCICED and ICSD) for the Rio+20 themes for the upcoming United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD. He then made a presentation as a leader on behalf on the study team. Shri Rahul Chhabra (Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy in Beijing) commended the collaborative project between TERI and CAEP. He reminded of the 1972 Stockholm Conference where Smt. Indira Gandhi had voiced the concern of the developing countries. He reminded the audience of the need of a common enemy - in this case mankind who had caused environmental crises - for humans to organize themselves and make collaborative efforts. Ms Huang Wenhang (Director, Climate Change, National Development and Reform Commission, NDRC) highlighted the work of NDRC on sustainable development and low-carbon development. She also expressed support of the NDRC on closer partnership between CCICED and ICSD to further South-South cooperation efforts.
Well known scholars Prof. Wang Jinnan (Vice President, CAEP); Prof SHEN Guofang (Chief Advisor CCICED; Chinese Academy of Sciences); and Prof. ZHEN Ruixiang (former PRC Consul General to Mumbai of India and China Institute on International Studies) also made remarks on overcoming institutional barriers in the two countries and further South-South cooperation efforts.
Joint Project on 'Environment for Development: India
and China' The collaborative project on 'Environment for Development: India and China', between the India Council for Sustainable Development (ICSD) and the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), recently concluded its first phase. An interim meeting, comprising of two days of working session between the respective India and China project teams followed by a stakeholder workshop on the third day, was held from 13-15th January 2009 in Beijing, China.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the working team members,
to meet and discuss the progress on the project so far as well as
identify gaps and other issues in the respective components of the
study. The stakeholder workshop following the working session provided
an excellent opportunity to the project team to seek feedback and
inputs on the issues covered in the report. Participants present
at the workshop included group of environment experts, academicians
from China and Embassy representatives (Sweden and Norway). At the
outset the two team leaders made detailed presentations on the objective,
scope, methodology and the key issues being dealt with in the report.
This was immensely appreciated by the gathering, which recognized
the progress made by both sides in collating data and highlighting
the pertinent issues. What was seen as a major challenge to the
project was the roadmap for furthering cooperation amongst the two
countries. Identification of areas where partnerships could be forged
between the two countries was seen as a very crucial section of
the report drawing the most interest amongst the present audience.
The project is looked upon as a crucial steeping stone to foster
bilateral partnerships and encourage regional cooperation between
the two countries. ICSD collaborates with the CCICED
Conference on "Vision 2025: a sustainable roadmap
for India"
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