The Natural Capital China Partnership Joint Research Project (NatCapChina) brings together partners from industry, academia, and research institutions to advance interdisciplinary research on natural capital and promote its practical application in China. The project aims to support a future in which people and nature thrive together, in China and around the world.
Project cycle: The project is organized in 2–3-year terms. Each term is guided by one or two Chief Scientists and supported by a Project Office, lead institutions, and participating institutions. Priority research areas are identified for each term.
Guiding principles: The project is grounded in scientific rigor and collaborative research. Chief Scientists and participating institutions jointly propose research priorities, then work on specific topics according to their respective expertise. Research and implementation resources are shared among partners.
The priority research areas for the current term (October 2026–December 2028) are:
Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (RCEES, CAS) contributes its deep expertise in GEP accounting, eco-product value realization, and eco-compensation policy to the project's methodology, standards, and cross-institution coordination.
Natural Capital Alliance (Stanford University) is a Stanford-based global collaboration of interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners working to make valuing natural capital easier and more accessible, providing international methodological support through ecosystem services science and the InVEST toolset.
Natural Capital is published by RCEES in collaboration with Science Press and co-edited by Prof. Ouyang Zhiyun and Prof. Stephen Polasky, focusing on natural capital accounting, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services assessment, and green finance, serving as an international publication platform for project outputs.
China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy focuses on research into national innovation and development strategy, providing policy-level guidance and support for the project.
Ecological Society of China is a major academic society in ecology, supporting the project with its broad disciplinary network, expert resources, and channels for academic exchange and outreach.
Belt and Road Environmental Technology Exchange and Transfer Center (Shenzhen) (B&R ETTC) is a national-level international cooperation platform jointly established by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Shenzhen Municipal Government. It promotes environmental technology exchange, transfer, and industrial cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries, supporting the project with green technology transfer and international collaboration networks.