On February 28th, 2013, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Environmental Protection released its “Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation” (“Guidelines”). These Guidelines provide civil society groups with a new source of leverage when it comes to holding Chinese companies responsible for their environmental and social impacts overseas. 

On February 28th, 2013, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Environmental Protection released its “Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation” (“Guidelines”), which are based on recommendations by the Chinese NGO, Global Environmental Institute (GEI). These Guidelines provide civil society groups with a new source of leverage when it comes to holding Chinese companies responsible for their environmental and social impacts overseas. 

• View the “Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation” in Burmese | Chinese | English | Spanish | French
• Read an analysis of the Guidelines by Grace Mang, China Program Director
• Read a comparison of the Guidelines with international standards by Policy Director Peter Bosshard (also available in Chinese on chinadialogue)
• Read interviews with Mr. Ren Peng of Global Environmental Institute and Dr. Hu Tao of the World Resources Institute

The Guidelines cover key issues, including legal compliance, environmental policies, environmental management plans, mitigation measures, disaster management plans, community relations, waste management, and international standards. 

While the Guidelines are non-binding, they are still government policy and can thus be a useful tool for civil society seeking to hold Chinese companies to account. Even though it is unlikely that the Guidelines will translate into immediate changes at project sites, the Guidelines create a new window for civil society to engage with Chinese companies abroad, obtain project information and documents, and hold them to a higher level of responsibility around mitigating damages. 

For more Information, please consult the following website: HERE

Or contact:

• Grace Mang
  grace@internationalrivers.org
  + 1 (510) 848-1155
• Peter Bosshard
  peter@internationalrivers.org
  +1 (510) 848-1155 ext. 320

Please consult also:

Notification of the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Environmental Protection on Issuing the Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation - 

Un extrait oft he Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation: „In order to direct enterprises in China to further regularize their environmental protection behaviors in foreign investment and cooperation, guide them to actively perform their social responsibilities of environmental protection, and promote the sustainable development of foreign investment and cooperation, we have formulated the Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Foreign Investment and Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as these Guidelines) which is hereby issued. Competent commerce departments and departments of environmental protection of all regions shall step up publicity of these Guidelines, and guide enterprises in China to raise their environmental protection awareness, and to understand and observe environmental protection policies and regulations of the host country in foreign investment and cooperation, so as to realize mutual benefits...“

„Article 1 These Guidelines are hereby formulated in order to direct enterprises in China to further regularize their environmental protection behaviors in foreign investment and cooperation activities, timely identify and prevent environmental risks, guide enterprises to actively perform their social responsibilities of environmental protection, set up good international images for Chinese enterprises, and support the sustainable development of the host country.

Article 2 These Guidelines are applicable to the environmental protection of Chinese enterprises in foreign investment and cooperation activities, which shall be abided by enterprises consciously.

Article 3 It is advocated that in the course of active performance of their responsibilities of environmental protection, enterprises should respect the religious belief, cultural traditions and national customs of community residents of the host country, safeguard legitimate rights and interests of labors, offer training, employment and re-employment opportunities to residents in the surrounding areas, promote harmonious development of local economy, environment and community, and carry out cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits.“