China NGOs Training on Co-benefits

On September 23-24, 2009, China NGO Training on Co-benefits was held in Beijing as one of the activities of China Civil Climate Action Network (CCAN). 30 participants from 17 NGOs joined the training. It was co-facilitated by Ms. Wang Xiangyi, Project Manager of CANGO and Mr. Chen Jiliang, Project Officer of Heinrich Boell Foundation (HBF).

Dr. Axel Friedrich, Environmental Strategy Consultant from Germany, Ms. Geng Yu, Consultant from China Eco-efficiency Research Center, and Ms. Peng Yan from CAI-Asia Centre talked about co-benefits and climate change from different points of view. Dr. Axel Friedrich introduced the theory of co-benefits and German government environmental policy, as well as some cases of German NGOs action; Ms. Geng Yu introduced the content and cases of climate change and air pollution prevention; Ms. Peng Yan introduced the concept and methods of co-benefits, and shared Asian NGOs’ action experience.

All participants had a lively discussion and exchange with the experts after the presentations. They learned more on co-benefits through these presentations and discussion with experts, and raised many new project ideas for the future. Following there are some new ideas: (1) communication activities need to create new methods so as to set up link between communication and action; (2) exploration for walking facilities in Beijing, Green Map produced by Friends of Nature can provide reference for this; (3) energy saving modification of heating system; (4) international exchange on green community construction; (5) biodiversity recovery in Songshan area.

All participants expressed recognition for this training and addressed their expectations. They hope to conduct follow up trainings to introduce more cases and practical experience on co-benefits. In addition, they suggested the training can be conducted in other provinces so as to provide more opportunities to local NGOs.