The Katoomba Group's work in China aims to foster awareness of and engagement in domestic PES projects through in-depth research and learning opportunities for government, business and civil society actors, laying the groundwork for Katoomba -- China. In collaboration with a research team led by Michael Bennett at Peking University, the program has begun developing an inventory of current PES opportunities, establishing a network of experts and stakeholders and providing insights to policymakers on enabling successful PES mechanisms. Through these activities, it is hoped that a Katoomba Advisory Group for the country can soon be established.

As a starting point for this foray into China, a "Strategic Assessment of China's Domestic PES Programs" is being compiled to scope out and analyze existing programs that incorporate mechanisms which can be considered payments for ecosystem services. This will include an assessment of how market-based mechanisms or private sector involvement may be able to complement existing practices. A two-day workshop of Chinese experts and practitioners to review the Strategic Assessment and other market findings is planned for 2008. Once completed, this consensus-based characterization of the current status of PES in the country will provide a comprehensive baseline for monitoring its growth.

More materials and information will be posted shortly.