China's Environmental NGO Going Global: A Journey of Challenges

What the paper says

While Chinese environmental NGOs have made progress in internationalization, they also face various challenges. China’s increasingly important role in global production, consumption, trade, and investment underscores the importance of its NGOs in global environmental governance and sustainable development. Moreover, there is a growing demand from both domestic and international stakeholders for Chinese NGOs to engage in global dialogue and foster collaborative efforts. As a China-based non-governmental and non-profit environmental organization focusing on environmental and developmental issues, the Global Environmental Institute (GEI) has prioritized promoting harmonious development of investment, trade, and environment since its inception. Since 2007, GEI has conducted research, implemented demonstration projects, advocated for the Chinese government to formulate policies on overseas investment, enhanced environmental governance capacity in host countries, and provided recommendations for the environmental and social work of Chinese investment enterprises abroad. However, the journey has been marked by challenges including a lack of supportive policy framework, limited funding channels, and a shortage of institutional capacity and professionals. In response, this article proposes suggestions such as reformulating an overall strategy, planning, and incentive policy, encouraging multiple sources of funding, and developing an international environmental volunteer action plan. By addressing these challenges and promoting cooperation, Chinese environmental NGOs can play an even greater role in global environmental governance and contribute to global sustainable development.