US and China Discuss Environmental Information Progress and Practices

[October 25th, 2011, Guangzhou]

In response to the Chinese Government's release of the "Environmental Information Disclosure Measures" regulation in 2008, businesses, NGOs and the EPBs are now paying close attention to this subject. On October 25, 2011, the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) and the Lingnan-ISC EHS Academy jointly hosted a workshop on Environmental Information Management Policy and Practice at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong and hoped to spark reflection and interaction between China and the U.S., to bring in new thinking and ideas.

A total of 80 representatives from academia, businesses, NGOs, Chinese and U.S. government agencies exchanged ideas and opinions on environmental information management. In his keynote speech, Mr. Malcolm D. Jackson, the Assistant Administrator for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Information (OEI) highlighted the value of environmental information sharing for decision-making.

"Given a rapid pace of economic advancement in Guangdong, it's time for us to begin a dialogue on environmental information which is essential to measuring the environmental progress. The components for a strong network for environmental information are the public, the private sector, NGO and the government." Mr. Jackson said, "Without reliable and available environmental information, we cannot hope to achieve environmental and public health."

Mr. Wayne S. Davis, Senior Environmental Scientist also from USEPA's OEI, gave a presentation on EPA's environmental information program tools, services and support. A Chinese NGO representative and a manager from Nike also spoke on the environmental information transparency from different perspectives. A panel discussion was then held on China's environmental information disclosure successes and challenges, during which the EPA's scientist, an academic, one industry and two NGO representatives, plus a director from the Guangzhou Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) interact with the audiences and exchange their knowledge and opinions.

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