Please join BC3, chinadialogue, and the Asia Society for a discussion on environmental law in China at K&L Gates, LLP.  After decades of unprecedented environmental degradation, China’s leaders have begun to address the severe costs of rapid development. Fears related to food, energy and resource security, as well as the looming threat of social unrest among the middle class, have led to a rapidly changing landscape in environmental laws, regulations, and standards. It is imperative for multinational businesses to understand the impact of China’s environmental law on their work, and ensure that they remain compliant with changing requirements.

Moderator Ginny Fang, executive director of ChinaSF, along with guest speakers Charlie McElwee, author of Environmental Law in China: Managing Risk and Ensuring Compliance; Ryan Schuchard, manager of Climate and Energy, BSR; Kristen Durham, global gateway director, SVB Financial Group; and Alex Wang, visiting assistant professor at UC Berkeley Boalt School of Law, will discuss the recent changes and trends in environmental law and what they mean for Bay Area businesses, including:

• How China's environmental regulatory and legal framework are structured;
• How environmental regulations are changing;
• The development of Chinese "watch dog" groups and their increasing interactions with multinational businesses;
• And the potential risks and liabilities that attend non-compliance.
  

5:30 - 6:00pm      Networking reception
6:00 - 7:30pm      Panel and discussion

NOTE
All participants must register to attend; space is limited. Please register above and BC3 will send you a registration confirmation.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Ginny Fang is executive director of ChinaSF, a public-private initiative of the San Francisco Center for Economic Development (SFCED), in close partnership with the City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD). ChinaSF is active in promoting Chinese investment and business expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area while assisting local businesses with their efforts in China. Prior to joining ChinaSF, Ms. Fang acted as consultant to City Hall on economic and workforce issues. Fang completed her undergraduate studies at Dartmouth College and received an MPP from UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy.

Charlie McElwee is an experienced attorney with a background in energy and environmental law. Author of the recently published book, Environmental Law in China: Mitigating Risk and Ensuring Compliance (March 2011), Mr. McElwee serves currently as program officer for climate policy at the ClimateWorks Foundation. Before working at ClimateWorks, he practiced environmental and energy law at Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, LLP for nearly 30 years. Mr. McElwee also teaches law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Law. He received his JD from West Virginia University College of Law and a BS degree from Washington and Lee University.

Ryan Schuchard is manager of Climate and Energy at BSR. Mr. Schuchard is advisor to standards building initiatives such as the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s Scope 3 Initiative, the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition's Supply Chain Carbon Reporting System, the World Economic Forum’s Task Force on Low-Carbon Prosperity, and the China Energy and Climate Registry. He also co-authored chapters in Corporate Responses to Climate Change and Carbon Trading. Mr. Schuchard has an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a BS in finance from Oregon State University.

Kristen Durham is the Global Gateway director at SVB Financial Group. Before joining SVB, Ms. Durham was vice president of Global Initiatives at the Bay Area Council (BAC) and a senior analyst with the BAC Economic Institute. Her work focuses on supporting emerging, growth and established companies as they build strategic relationships and sustainable businesses abroad, especially in China. Ms. Durham completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri and received her MS in Energy & Resources at UC Berkeley.

Alex Wang is a visiting law Professor at the UC Berkeley Boalt Law School. Wang previously served as senior attorney of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) based in Beijing and was director of NRDC’s China Environmental Law Project. Mr. Wang has worked towards strengthening enforcement of China’s laws and policies, and the role of the public in environmental protection. Prior to working at NRDC, he was an attorney at a private law firm in New York City. Wang received a JD degree from New York University School of Law and a BS in biology from Duke University.