The Australian China Environment Development Partnership (ACEDP, former Australian China Environment Development Program ) is a five-year, $25m Australian Government, AusAID initiative commenced in July 2007 with the objective of supporting and improving policy development in China in the area of environmental protection and natural resources management. The primary focus of the ACEDP is on water resources and integrated river basin management, but there will be flexibility to address other emerging environmental priorities by agreement between the two governments.
The ACEDP aims to facilitate enduring partnerships between Australian and Chinese agencies, institutions and individuals engaged in national environmental policy development and implementation through a combination of high level policy dialogue, capacity building measures and collaboration on discreet activities that demonstrate good environmental governance.
Specific outcomes for the ACEDP will be enduring partnerships between Australian and Chinese agencies involved in policy development on environment, strengthened policy development processes on environmental management, and the successful implementation of pilot activities utilising good environmental governance and practices.
Integral to the success of the ACEDP is ownership by the two partner countries. This is achieved through a joint Australian Chinese annual planning process that determines the strategic direction of the ACEDP. While the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) ‘own’ the ACEDP, a group of national-level government agencies in both countries constitute its main decision making body. An independent Environmental Advisory Team (EAT), comprising internationally renowned experts, provides high-level appraisal and review functions and ensures activities are consistent with ACEDP objectives.
Throughout the five years, the program will remain dynamic and flexible in order to respond to emerging environment policy priorities, and provide a unique level of access and engagement between senior levels of Australia and Chinese Government officials.