The China International Business Dialogue on Environmental Governance (CIBDEG) was an independent working group under the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) proposed and organized by Latham & Watkins that concluded in 2024. The working group was designed to facilitate and encourage dialogue between Western multinational businesses and Chinese environmental regulatory authorities regarding best practices in environmental regulation and performance by governments and industries, as well as the progression of environmental policy and regulation in China. For its leadership, innovation and impact, CIBDEG was awarded the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Award for Collaboration in 2019.
While it was operating, the group provided information and analysis to the Chinese government regarding environmental regulations in the United States and Europe as well as the concerns of Western multinational business. Separately, the group also shared with multinational businesses its own independent assessments and analyses regarding the direction of Chinese environmental regulation and enforcement priorities, based on publicly available information.
CIBDEG was founded on the belief that a transparent, fair and effective regulatory system will benefit all stakeholders, and that the open exchange of ideas will assist regulators in drafting regulations that are effective in achieving both environmental and economic development goals. Consistent with its status as an independent working group, CIBDEG set its own agenda and received no funding or direction from any government.