Chapter 1 General Provisions

Clause 1. Name

The name of the organization is China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED).

Clause 2. Nature

With the approval of the Chinese Government, CCICED was founded as a high-level, non-profit international advisory body consisting of leading figures and senior experts from both China and abroad in the field of environment and development.

Clause 3. Basic Principles

CCICED upholds the values of diversity, inclusiveness, and sharing. It aspires to a balance in gender, region, nationality and areas of expertise, and will increasingly involve young people, the private sector and civil society in its research and activities.

Clause 4. Execution and Supervision

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China (MEE) serves as the executing agency of CCICED, providing guidance for its operations, implementation, and daily management. CCICED submits its policy recommendations to the State Council through MEE.

Chapter 2 Mission and Tasks

Clause 5. Mission

Inspired and driven by a vision of building towards a more beautiful China and a green and bountiful world, CCICED is committed to promoting ecological civilization and sustainable development by serving as a platform for exchanges on environment and development policies between China and the international communities, for promoting collaborative efforts to achieve ecological civilization, and for advocating innovative and better governance system of the global environment.

Clause 6. Tasks

1. CCICED will provide policy analysis and recommendations, technical support, best practice experience and early warning in support of the national five-year plans and China’s goal of building a moderately well-off (Xiaokang) society. CCICED will support the implementation of the Chinese government’s socio-economic and sustainable development strategies, the accelerated development of a resource-conserving and environmentally friendly society, and an evidence-based approach to comprehensive, coordinated and balanced policies covering the environment, the economy and society.

2. CCICED will share research findings with the international community and will focus on the interaction between China and the global environment and development.

3. CCICED also will facilitate the Chinese Government’s consideration of Council recommendations, promoting their eventual adoption into policy, legislation, regulations, and operational directives. The CCICED will monitor and report on China’s progress in implementing its policy recommendations.

Chapter 3 Organizational Structure

Clause 7. Composition

CCICED consists of approximately 60 domestic and international Council Members, including a Chairperson, Executive Vice Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons, Secretary General, Chief Advisors and other Council Members.

Clause 8. Council Members

1. The Council Members consist of Chinese and international officials, representatives from concerned international organizations, renowned experts and scholars, leading figures from the private sector and civil society.

2. Council Members shall be nominated and invited by the Chinese Government. When nominating international Council Members, the Chinese Government shall consult with CCICED’s lead funding partner.

3. Members are granted a five-year term, which shall terminate automatically at the end of each Phase. Consecutive membership will not usually exceed two terms.

4. A new Member may be added during this Phase after approval by both Chinese and International Executive Vice Chairpersons.

5. A membership may be terminated before end of term if the member fails to carry out his/her duties, if his/her performance no longer meets CCICED’s requirements or if the member resigns for personal reasons. Change of membership must be approved by both the Chinese and International Executive Vice Chairpersons.

6. Members contribute their time and wisdom to the CCICED, and their main responsibilities include:

  (1) Attending the Annual General Meeting and related events;

  (2) Submitting special reports or recommendations related to urgent and important issues in environment and development;

  (3) Attending CCICED Seminars and Policy Dialogues if needed, to exchange views on relevant policy trends in environment and development; and

  (4) Undertaking research projects and participating in research activities upon invitation of the CCICED.

Clause 9. Chairperson and Vice Chairpersons

1. The Chairperson role shall be assumed by a leader of the State Council and will be appointed by the Chinese Government.

2. CCICED has two Executive Vice Chairpersons, one from China and the other from the international community, who shall be appointed by the Chinese Government. The MEE Minister serves as the Chinese Executive Vice Chairperson, and the International Executive Vice Chairperson will be nominated by the lead funding partner.

3. Two to three renowned experts respectively from the Chinese and international side will assume the positions of CCICED’s Vice Chairpersons, and shall be nominated and invited by the Chinese Government.

Clause 10. Secretary General

1. The position of Secretary General is assumed by the Vice Minister of MEE in charge of international cooperation; the Secretary General will provide overall guidance regarding operation and management of the CCICED.

2. With the approval of the Executive Vice Chairpersons, the Secretary General can designate a Deputy Secretary General (currently the Director General for International Cooperation in MEE) and Assistant Secretary General to provide assistance.

3. Based on the decisions made in the Executive Members Meeting, the Secretary General shall carry out his work with the assistance of the Chief Advisors, Deputy Secretary General(s) and Assistant Secretary General(s), and report to the Chinese Executive Vice Chairperson.

4. The Secretary General’s main responsibilities include:

  (1) Reporting to the Executive Members Meeting and Council Members Meeting on the CCICED’s annual Work Report and Work Plan;

  (2) Approving the CCICED’s annual budget and monitoring its performance;

  (3) Approving CCICED policy research projects and pilot projects;

  (4) Approving the budget, the recommended institutions or organizations to undertake the proposed research, and the co-chairs of policy research projects;

  (5) Implementing other decisions made by the Executive Members Meeting; and

  (6) Other matters authorized by the Chinese Executive Vice Chairperson.

Clause 11. Chief Advisors

1. CCICED has two Chief Advisors, one from China and the other from the international community.

2. The Chinese Chief Advisor shall be nominated by MEE.

3. The International Chief Advisor shall be nominated following consultations between MEE and the lead funding partner.

4. Under the leadership of the Secretary General, the Chief Advisors shall provide advice on policy research to the Secretary General. Their responsibilities include:

  (1) Presenting the overall policy research framework;

  (2) Drafting or selecting and assessing Concept Papers for the policy research projects;

  (3) Proposing Terms of Reference (TOR) for the policy research projects;

  (4) Recommending and assessing the proposed experts for CCICED research projects;

  (5) Participating in and providing guidance for the implementation of the policy research projects;

  (6) Assessing the findings and deliverables of the policy research projects;

  (7) Drafting policy recommendations and other important documents; and

  (8) Providing other consultancies as required by the Secretary General.

5. CCICED establishes a mechanism by which the Chief Advisors and the Secretariat hold regular joint-working meetings (CHAD-SERI Meeting) to discuss important issues related to CCICED’s policy research.

Clause 12. Special Advisors

1. CCICED invites senior Chinese and international experts to serve as Special Advisors when required.

2. The Special Advisors shall be nominated and invited by the Chinese Government. Their main responsibilities include:

  (1) Attending the High-level Forum at the invitation of the Secretariat;

  (2) Attending CCICED Seminars and Policy Dialogues in order to share their expertise on important policy trends; and

  (3) Undertaking or participating in policy research projects or other activities, at the invitation of the CCICED.

Chapter 4 Operations

Clause 13. Annual General Meeting

1. CCICED holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. The AGM comprises the Executive Members Meeting, the Council Members Meeting, and the High-level Forum on Environment and Development (referred to as high-level forum). AGM deliberations focus on finalizing policy recommendations for submission to the Chinese Government.

2. The CCICED Chairperson shall attend the AGM, meet with Chinese and international members and listen to their policy recommendations.

Clause 14. Executive and Executive Members Meeting

1. The Executive consists of the Executive Vice Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons and the Secretary General.

2. The Executive Members Meeting is a closed meeting, co-chaired by the Executive Vice Chairpersons, and attended by the Chief Advisors, the Deputy Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General. The Secretary General may invite others as observers to the Executive Members Meeting.

3. The Executive’s responsibilities include:

  (1) Deliberating and making decisions on major strategic issues;

  (2) Reviewing and approving the annual work report and the annual work plan of the coming year;

  (3) Approving the draft program for the year’s Annual General Meeting and determining the theme and date of the following year’s Annual General Meeting; and

  (4) Discussing other relevant issues proposed by the Secretary General.

4. Between Executive Members Meetings, the Executive Vice Chairpersons may make adjustments and decide on issues within the purview of the Executive. The Secretary General may also bring forward matters requiring decisions of the Executive Vice Chairpersons.

Chapter 5 Policy Research Projects and Pilot Projects

Clause 15. Policy Research Projects are the source and basis of CCICED policy recommendations, and therefore essential to the Council’s ability to fulfill its mission.

Clause 16. CCICED establishes policy research projects according to China’s needs in the field of environment and development, inviting experts from China and overseas to work together on policy research and to propose policy recommendations.

Clause 17. Centering on major and strategic issues, CCICED shall organize its policy research in a systematic manner, grouping activities under the thematic umbrella of defined Task Forces (TF).

Clause 18. Special Policy Study (SPS) teams shall be established under each TF and will focus on more narrow topics within the overarching TF framework. A flexible approach will be adopted in setting up SPS teams and determining their mandate.

Clause 19. CCICED will organize ‘quick response’ initiatives to carry out short-term studies on emerging issues and provide policy recommendations, building on its large cooperation network.

Clause 20. CCICED will disseminate its research findings to local governments through various channels, including policy demonstration projects, in order to encourage the implementation of policy recommendations.

Clause 21. The number of research projects will be determined by both China’s needs and the availability of Council resources.

Chapter 6 Fund Management

Clause 22. The CCICED is funded by China and by other national governments, international organizations, enterprises, civil society and other partners.

Clause 23. Partners who intend to provide financial support to the CCICED shall sign agreements with the Chinese side; these agreements will, depending on requirements, designate the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General or an authorized representative to be the signatory to the agreement.

Clause 24. The management and use of Chinese government funds shall be carried out in strict adherence to Chinese laws and relevant agreements signed between CCICED and its partners.

Clause 25. CCICED adopts a financial budgeting and disbursement system.

Chapter 7 Partnership and Communications

Clause 26. CCICED Partners and Observers

1. CCICED is committed to developing wide-ranging partnerships that include funding partners, strategic cooperation partners, research partners and observers.

2. Observer status is granted to organizations, research institutions, companies, and Chinese lower levels of government and individuals who attach great importance to the issues studied by the Council, and that demonstrate a strong interest in cooperating with the Council.

3. The CCICED Secretariat periodically organizes working meetings for CCICED partners, to brief and update them on the Council’s progress, as well as to solicit their views and suggestions.

Clause 27. Capacity Building, Promotion and Communications

1. CCICED organizes capacity building programs through training or advanced studies at home and internationally for senior Chinese officials in order to strengthen China’s environmental governance.

2. CCICED shall share research findings from policy studies and seek suggestions on policy input through seminars or special forums, which can be held in China or overseas to address specific policy themes.

3. CCICED will participate in important conferences and events in the field of environment and development, nationally and internationally, to further expand the influence of the CCICED by promoting its findings and achievements.

4. CCICED will convene policy dialogues with developing countries and emerging economies, and conduct joint research with developing countries in due course.

5. CCICED periodically organizes the Green Business Roundtable to gather wisdom from the private sector and promote sustainable lifestyles and production modes.

6. CCICED will publicize its activities and policy suggestions through news releases, seminars, its website, publications, and other media.

Chapter 8 CCICED Secretariat

Clause 28. The Secretariat Head Office is established under the aegis of the Department of International Cooperation of MEE, and operates under the leadership of the Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General(s) and Assistant Secretary General(s).

Clause 29. The Secretariat adheres to MEE’s administrative and management rules, while its regular business is carried out in conformity with the Charter of the CCICED and related requirements.

Clause 30. Secretariat staff are organized into different teams according to workload and other relevant considerations. Adjustments may be made with the approval of the Secretary General.

Clause 31. CCICED will establish a Secretariat International Support Office in the lead funding partner’s country to assist the Secretariat in its work. If needed, additional support offices shall be established in other major partners’ countries to provide project and activity support.

Clause 32. The Secretariat welcomes staff or experts who may be seconded by CCICED partners, on a short-term or long-term basis.

Clause 33. The main responsibilities of the Secretariat include:

1. Organizing the Executive Members Meeting, Council Member Meeting and High-level Forum, Roundtables, Seminars, Dialogues, Advisory Meetings and other activities;

2. Managing the funds of the CCICED;

3. Managing CCICED policy research projects;

4. Disseminating CCICED research findings;

5. Establishing, maintaining and expanding CCICED partnerships;

6. Providing support to Council Members, Chief Advisors and Special Advisors;

7. Developing capacity building programs on environment and development for Chinese senior officials; and

8. Other tasks as assigned by the Secretary General.

Chapter 9 Execution and Amendment of the Charter

Clause 34. The Charter takes effect upon its approval by the first Council Member Meeting of Phase VI.

Clause 35. Any revision to the Charter shall be approved by the Executive Vice Chairpersons, and will take effect after being adopted during the Executive Members Meeting and the Council Member Meeting.