The 2016 Annual Conference of Environmental Economics Branch of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences took place November 3 ‘ 4 in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province. Well attended by over two hundred experts and scholars from various universities, research institutions, as well as public and private sectors, the conference was co-hosted by the Environmental Economics Branch of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning and Duke Kunshan University. The theme of the conference this year is to establish a decision-making mechanism by applying cost-benefit analysis to environmental decisions.
The conference was opened with remarks by Ge Chazhong, director of Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning; Wang Zhihua, secretary general of Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences; Chen Xiuwen, vice mayor of Kunshan; Denis Simon, executive vice chancellor of Duke Kunshan University and Wang Jinnan, director of Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning. They pointed out that China is facing serious environmental challenges, and using scientific evidence based on economic analysis to inform environmental decision making should be the key to solving these problems. Meanwhile, higher education institutions should be responsible for producing skilled workforces in the field of environment, especially in environmental policy-making, to bridge the gap between academic research and policy design.
Wang Jinnan, director of Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning
Dr. Simon highlighted the progresses Duke Kunshan University has made in establishing the Environmental Research Center as well as launching the Master of Environmental Policy (iMEP) program. Led by Dr. Junjie Zhang, associate professor at Duke Kunshan University and Duke University, the iMEP program aims to prepare its graduates to become problem-solvers with the skills to forge evidence-based environmental policy solutions.
Denis Simon, executive vice chancellor of Duke Kunshan University
After the opening remarks, five keynote speakers presented their research findings and suggestions on how to use cost-benefit analysis approaches to resolve environmental issues.
Plenary Session
The afternoon program featured concurrent sessions at which 22 scholars from different universities and research institutions centered their talks on two themes: the theory and practice of cost-benefit analysis; and the innovation and practice of environmental policy theory. The speakers shared with the audience their research outcomes, analyzed the most challenging issues in the area of environmental policy, listed applications of new technologies and models and commented on the impact of structural transformation on environment-related areas.
Dr. Junjie Zhang, director of the Environmental Research Center at Duke Kunshan University
The next morning, over 100 scholars gathered on the beautiful campus of Duke Kunshan University for the English session of the conference hosted by Dr. Junjie Zhang, director of the Environmental Research Center and the iMEP program at Duke Kunshan. Six scholars delivered speeches on the theme of ‘Advances in Cost-Benefit Analysis’.
A video specifically produced for the conference by three Duke professors was also played at this session, showcasing a panel discussion about the theory and practice of environmental cost-benefit analysis.
The conference ended with the success of the English session, leaving the audience a great impression and expectation of future events of the same quality.
Duke Kunshan University
Prof. Ronald Shadbegian
Concurrent Session
