The 1st Meeting of the 3rd Phase of CCICED
Terms of Reference of CCICED (Phase III )
(Draft)
Summary
1. The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a high level, non-governmental international advisory body established in 1992. After 10 years of effective work during its first and second phase, it has successfully fulfilled its expected objectives, fostered cooperation between China and the international community in the field of environment and development, and created extensive and far-reaching impact both nationally and internationally.
2. In the past 10 years, the Council and its Working Groups (Task Forces) have made a number of valuable recommendations to the Chinese Government in light of China's practical situation. These recommendations attracted high attention from the Chinese Government. They were seriously considered, and some were adopted. This is a significant contribution to China's environment and development.
3. At the time when the Second Phase of CCICED is coming to an end, people from various sides have recognized unanimously the value and important role of CCICED, and agreed to continue their support for another phase of CCICED. The Chairman of the Council has clearly stated that, since its establishment, CCICED has provided strong support for the scientific decision-making of China in the field of environment and development. In the new Century, the Chinese Government will continue to support the work of CCICED. Therefore, it has been decided that CCICED (Phase III) should be established with adjustment of Chinese and international members and necessary reforms.
4. Given the change of situation in the field of environment and development in China as well as the shift of focus of the Council, and on the basis of the lessons learned during the first and second phase, CCICED (Phase III) will drop the "Working Group" mechanism and replace it with the more flexible and focused-mandate "Task Force" mechanism. At the same time, the capacity of the Secretariat to improve coordination among the Task Forces and tackle technical matters will be enhanced. In order to improve the impact and extend the influence of its recommendations, the Council will establish a multi-channel mechanism for the collection, presentation and dissemination of the recommendations.
5. Based on Phase I & II, Phase III of CCICED will continue to make the Council's recommendations more practical, feasible and suitable for China's situation. Necessary policy demonstrations and project demonstrations should be carried out in key areas. In light of the changing situation in the field of environment and development, recommendations should also be made to the Chinese Government on how to adjust existing strategy and what counter-measures to take.
6. This Terms of Reference is based on the Terms of Reference of Phase I & II. The nature, goals, organization, and procedures of the Council as defined in the Terms of Reference of Phase I & II will continue to be effective, and will therefore not be reiterated here. This Terms of Reference only modifies and complements a number of key contents of the Terms of Reference of Phase I & II.
I. Objectives and Tasks
1. CCICED (Phase III) will adhere to the goals defined by CCICED (Phase I & II). In the meantime, it will, in accordance with China's 10th Five-Year Plan as well as the objective of building up a comprehensively well-off society in 2020 and long-term plan beyond, provide more practical policy recommendations, technical support and demonstration experience to the Chinese Government. It will assist the Chinese Government in promoting its implementation of the sustainable development strategy, adopting "win-win" strategy for environmental protection and economic development, achieving sustained growth of national economy and continuous improvement of environmental quality, continuing to play the international role of a responsible big country, and creating a cleaner, safer and sustainable future.
2. The objectives of CCICED (Phase III) are to:
1) provide strategic advice and policy recommendations to the Chinese Government on how to ensure sustainable economic growth, protect and improve China's environment, and safeguard long-term supply and safety of energy and natural resources;
2) foster international cooperation between China and the international community on critical issues of environment and development, such as relevant planning, projects, scientific development, technology transfer, and training, etc;
3) provide advisory service to the Chinese Government on important decision-making in the field of environment and development, and assess the economic, social and environment impacts of such decision-making;
4) provide the Chinese Government with international experience in the field of environment and development in the context of globalization, information technology, and scientific & technological renovation, and at the same time assist China in introducing its accomplishments and experience to other countries;
5) help enhance China's capacity in participating in negotiations of international agreements aiming to alleviate global environmental problems; and
6) play an advisory and assisting role in promoting public awareness and public participation in environmental protection.
3. While basing itself on the accomplishments and policy recommendations of the previous two phases, CCICED (Phase III) will make the policy recommendations of the Council more practical, carry, out more in-depth and more extensive demonstrations, and propose new recommendations of strategy adjustment in light of a changing situation. Priority areas for research at the starting period of Phase III could include, but by no means be limited to, the following: comprehensive impacts of climate change; environmentally friendly energy strategies and demonstrations; trade and environment; prevention and control of non-point sources pollution in rural areas; environmental input mechanism; biodiversity conservation and bio-safety; environmental impact assessment for development policies, planning and regional development; cleaner production demonstrations; development of environmental industries; ecological conservation and restoration; public participation; Rio+ 10 action; etc.
4. A theme will be selected for each annual meeting of the Council to debate. The recommendations by the Council Meeting will include 2 parts: the first part will be recommendations on the annual theme, the second part will be specific recommendations by the Task Forces.
II. Organization and Procedures
1. The duration of CCICED (Phase III) will be 5 years (from April 2002 to March 2007).
2. The Council will consist of about 40 high-level Chinese and international members. Chinese members will be ministers, vice-ministers, eminent scientists. International members will be of comparable status. The Council Chair-ship will be held by a leader of the State Council of China. The Vice-Chairs will be nominated and invited by the Chinese government, with agreement by the Council Meeting.
3. Normally the term of Council membership is 5 years. However, a Council member who is absent from Council activities for 2 consecutive years forfeits his (her) membership automatically. Under special circumstances (for example, a Council member changes his/her current position within his/her own organization), adjustment could be made on the Council membership with approval from the Bureau of the Council.
4. In principle, the Council Meeting will be held once every year. If necessary, the Council Chair could call special meetings after consultation with other Bureau members.
5. Officials at central and local levels, experts, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and representatives of international institutions, who are associated with the work of the Task Forces or the theme of the year, may be invited as special guests or observers to attend the annual Council Meetings or special meetings.
6.The proposals, recommendations and comments of the Council should be submitted to the Chinese Government and disseminated to greater audience through various channels, so as to foster their researches, adoption and implementations, as well as extending the influence of the Council. Such channels should include, but not be limited to, the following:
1) The Chairman of the Council submits them to the State Council and the relevant government departments
2) The State Environmental Protection Administration submits them to the relevant departments
3) The Secretariat of the Council forwards the recommendations of the Task Forces to the relevant departments
4) Other channels, such as the media, news conferences, workshops, website, and publications, etc, should be utilized to disseminate the Council's activities and recommendations to greater audience
III. Arrangements for Advisory Work
1. The work of the Task Forces shall serve as the basis for the Council's advisory function. The mandates of the Task Forces will be defined according to the objectives and tasks of the Council. Decisions to establish or disband Task Forces should be based on careful assessment and coordination, and subject to the Bureau of the Council.
2. In order to meet the needs of phase III, the Secretariat should enhance its capacity to carry out relevant tasks, such as: selecting themes for the annual Council Meeting; coordinating activities of Task Forces; organizing relevant assessment meetings; preparing for the establishment of new Task Forces; assessing the accomplishments of Task Forces; and, monitoring the effectiveness of the Council's recommendations, etc. As for the work related to scientific area, it will be carried out by inviting Lead Experts and their assistants.
3. Council Members could propose to establish new Task Forces in light of China's actual situation in the field of environment and development. In order to ensure the effectiveness of research and demonstrations, the establishment of any Task Forces should be based on careful assessment, and is contingent on appropriate available expertise and sufficient funding support.
4. A Task Force shall be co-chaired by one Chinese and one international expert. The Co-Chairmanship of a Task Force should be approved by the Bureau of the Council. The Co-Chairs of a Task Force shall be responsible for selecting the members of the Task Force, and should report their decision in that regard to the Bureau for record-keeping after consultation with the Secretariat of the Council. In principle, the number of members for each Task Force should be 3-5 on each of the Chinese and international sides.
5. A Task Force should have clear objectives, tasks, work plan and work schedule. It should submit annual reports to the annual Council Meeting. While completing its annual work plans, a Task Force is encouraged to provide recommendations on the theme of Council Meeting for that year. In principle, the duration of research by a Task Force should not exceed 18 months, and the entire duration of a Task Force (including inception period and dissemination of research results) should not exceed 2 years. Upon completion of the intended tasks, a Task Force will be disbanded automatically.
6. The Council will be open to the society for policy recommendations on environment and development. These recommendations should, in principle, be research results or policy recommendations by independent research institutions and experts, and could be adopted by the Council after being evaluated. Those whose recommendations have been adopted will be credited. Recommendations from independent sources could be provided to the Secretariat Head Office or the relevant Task Forces via the internet or by written form.
IV. Support and Service System
1. The Secretariat Head Office of the Council will be based in the State Environmental Protection Administration. Its responsibilities include, among others, the following: providing support for the Council's activities in China; preparing for the Council Meetings; maintaining and developing domestic and international contacts for the Council; coordinating various Task Forces; fostering website building and information exchange of the Council; forwarding the recommendations of the Council and Task Forces to the relevant departments; editing a quarterly newsletter for the Council; organizing news conferences and inter-Task Force workshops; and, carrying out the functions necessary to ensure proper follow-up by the Chinese Government to the Council' recommendations.
2. The Chinese Government will continue to ensure effective arrangement at the working level to encourage full and active participation and support of the relevant government departments, research institutions and NGOs.
3. The State Environmental Protection Administration will be responsible for inter-ministerial coordination and for supporting the activities of the Council.
4. Measures will be taken to enhance the capacity of 'the Secretariat Head Office, including: employing relevant staff for the Secretariat, conducting exchange and training activities, and speeding up website building so as to provide more information sources for the Council and the Task Forces and to promote exchange of information and research results through the internet.
5. The Council will set up support offices or designate liaison persons in Canada and possibly other donor countries to assist the work of the Secretariat Head Office and to coordinate the international cooperation activities of the Council and the Task Forces.
6. The Secretariat Head Office should organize news conferences and carry out other relevant activities to disseminate the research results of the Council and the Task - Forces to the public, so as to extend the influence of the Council and encourage active public participation.
V. Financial Arrangements
1. Financial assistance from Chinese and international sources will be pledged for the activities of CCICED (Phase III).
2. Members of the Council and Task Force Co-Chairs should continuously help to ensure that activities of the Council are properly related to other international activities in the fields of environment and development, scientific research and investment, so that extensive contacts will be set up from all walks of life, and more international support will be mobilized to meet the needs of the Council and its Task Forces.
3. The Council should work actively to obtain contributions and support from private foundations, multilateral financial institutions and other countries. Additional contributions from public and private sources and wider participation will be sought in support of specific activities and necessary studies as required.
4. The Council sincerely hopes that interested international organizations - such as scientific, technical, academic, financial and business organizations - could assist in China's efforts to achieve economic development in harmony with the protection of the environment, and will make special efforts to support the work of the Council.
