Henry M Paulson Jr Institute

Programs: Sustainable urbanizationmass migration from rural areas to urban centers in china will have profound economic and environmental implications for all countries. The paulson institute is working with chinese and international partners to develop and support principles, policies, and programs that advance world-class sustainable urbanization practices in china. Mayors program: in 2014, the institute hosted mayors and vice mayors from guangdong province for a two-week training program that began at the university of chicago and continued in miami. The mayors studied sustainability practices and met with former mayors and city officials in each location. The focus of the program was on regional mechanisms for environmental cooperation, disaster response and flood control. Miami provided a strong model for potential programs in china. Ceo council: the institute launched a ceo council composed of 16 ceos from leading global corporations - 8 from the us and 8 from china. The members will work together in the first year to explore promoting efficiency in buildings which account for more than 40% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The council approved an agenda of policy issues in china on which to focus for 2014 and discussed the need to cooperate on specific pilot projects and research initiatives. Experts conference: the institute held the fourth annual cities of the future conference for experts in the field of sustainability in 2014 in beijing with our partner, the china center for international economic exchanges. The conference this year reinforced the themes taken up in the ceo council: building efficiency. The institute held a one day seminar convening chinese and international experts to explore best practices in building technologies, building codes and enforcement and energy efficiency. Paulson prize: the second annual paulson prize was held in beijing in november. The prize was awarded to the shenzhen low carbon city for its excellence in promoting sustainability and its ability to be scaled throughout china. The city subsequently has received additional support from the local government and greater recognition throughout china as a potential model for low carbon development in other cities.

conservationthe unparalleled scale and speed of industrialization and urbanization in china over the last 30 years has led to unprecedented economic growth. This progress has taken a toll on the nation's environment and biodiversity. Fortunately, china's leaders and the chinese public increasingly recognize the need to balance economic growth and conservation. The recognition that economic growth and conservation are two sides of the same coin presents an opportunity for the paulson institute to support china in making marked progress in the area of conservation. We believe that economic growth and ecological conservation can and must go hand-in-hand. The paulson institute's program on conservation focuses on wetlands in china and forest of global significance. Coastal wetland conservation blueprint project: partnering with state forestry administration and chinese academy of science, pi launched the project in feb 24, 2014 and more than 50 chinese scientists and experts are working on the project to identify conservation priorities, major threats and effective strategies. The project will produce sets of technical reports and policy recommendations to the chinese government agencies and key decision-makers to strengthen the conservation of the biodiversity and ecosystems of the coastal regions. The project will be completed by the end of sept. 2015. Poyang lake project: partnering with international crane foundation and poyang lake nature reserve management bureau, pi launched the project in may, 2014 to promote sustainable fishery and adaptive management of the habitat of the migratory birds in poyang lake. The project will be completed by end of aug. 2015. Beidagang wetland nature reserve project: to protect the critical habitat for the migratory birds in bohai bay of china, pi has been advocating for strengthening the conversation and management of bedagang wetland in tianjin. China south america sustainable soy trade project: supported by the funding from moore foundation, pi built a consortium with other three organizations, namely tnc, solidaridad and wwf to promote sustainability in the soy trade between china and south america. The ultimate goal of the project is to use chinese market to drive sustainable and decrease the deforestation impact of the soy production in brazil and other major soy producer countries. The project concept and consortium were developed in 2014, but was officially launched in early 2015.

climate change and air qualitythis program advances solutions to climate change and air pollution in china and the united states, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and mutually benefical economic growth. This is done through research, projects, advocacy, and working together with a network of nonprofit, commercial, and governmental organizations. Air quality workshop: in september 2014, a 2-day conference was held for 50 mid-level government officials from the environmental protection bureaus of beijing, tianjin and hebei province on how to achieve improved air quality. Pi brought to china a dozen current and retired us air quality regulators to share their practical experience and comments on china's new air quality laws and enforcement being drafted for china's 13th five year plan (2016-2020). A white paper on air quality recommendations was published and distributed to highlight the key findings from the workshop. Senior leaders roundtable: in november 2014, a 1/2 day private forum was held with hank paulson and 30 senior chinese and us business, government and ngo leaders to vet and validate the key opportunities and challenges for the new program to address in dialogues, publications and advocacy in 2015. The 30 organizations also confirmed their roles as key collaborators to provide resources and amplify our messages. During the remaining time of the last four months of 2014, the program prepared key, new publications and events for advocacy in 2015.