A workshop on Cost Benefit Analysis as applied to environmental policies and regulations was held in Beijing on October 10, 2016.

Chaired by Dr. Dan Dudek, international member of CCICED and vice president of the Environment Defense Fund, the workshop explored CBA theory and practice, as well as the opportunities and challenges of using this tool in the context of environmental policy making. Participants were particularly interested in the feasibility of applying CBA to assessing policy and regulatory options in China. Technical issues discussed included the selection criteria for various CBA methodologies, and the legal and operational requirements for the design of a truly effective CBA process.

Participants heard presentations on a number of US and European case studies, going on to discuss some promising innovations for the Chinese context. The workshop discussions will be reflected in a background paper that will be submitted to the Council.

Workshop participants included Mr. Xi Guang, of MEP’s Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy; Ms. Fang Li, MEP FECO Deputy Direct General and CCICED Assistant Secretary General; Mr. Zou Ji, Deputy Direct General of National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation; Mr. Jiang Hongqiang, Director and Research Fellow of MEP’s Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning; Mr. Felix Matthes, Research Coordinator, Institute for Applied Ecology of Germany; Ms. Kerry Krutilla, Professor at the University of Indiana in Bloomington; and Mr. Zhang Junjie, Professor at Duke University.