In March, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded the partnership a $700,000 grant extension, increasing the total grant award to $6.8 million and enabling the partnership to connect its eight years of experience working in China to critical environmental issues in Southeast Asia through September 2015. In addition to the extension from USAID, the partnership has been implementing an environmental governance project in Myanmar since 2013.
"It was clear that challenges faced in China were concurrent throughout the region," said Siu Tip Lam, U.S.-Asia PEL director and assistant professor of law. "The program grew naturally, coinciding with a time of great need as the region experiences rapid development that goes unchecked at times—with little regard for its impact on the environment and the greater public good."
U.S.-Asia PEL will continue to further the work of governmental and civil society organizations that address critical environmental and energy challenges; improve policy, law, and regulation; and develop sustainable best practices in environmental protection and energy regulation.
"USAID continues to offer Vermont Law a unique opportunity to make a difference in China and Southeast Asia," said Marc Mihaly, president and dean of Vermont Law School. "We have a proven track record in China, and we look forward to watching as our faculty and students continue to positively influence environmental law and policy in that region."
With the support of USAID, Vermont Law launched the U.S.-China Partnership in 2006 to advance environmental governance and rule of law in China. In addition to receiving renewals of the USAID grant in 2009, 2012 and 2014, the partnership currently administers two environmental advocacy programs in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Kunming.
For more information about the U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law at Vermont Law School, visit www.vermontlaw.edu/us-asia, email china@vermontlaw.edu or call 802-831-1341.