Overview
Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE) was established in 2006 in China as an independent environmental non-governmental organisation. It was founded to promote environmental transparency and public participation in environmental governance. The organisation’s core philosophy centres on improving environmental performance through access to credible, public information.IPE focuses on strengthening accountability among companies and regulators by making pollution and compliance data widely accessible. Its work is particularly relevant in the context of China’s industrial supply chains and environmental regulation.
Mission and focus areas
IPE’s mission is to advance pollution disclosure, corporate environmental responsibility, and data-driven environmental governance. Its core focus areas include air and water pollution, industrial emissions, hazardous waste, and corporate supply chain compliance.The organisation plays a significant role in ESG integration by enabling investors, brands, and financial institutions to assess environmental risks linked to suppliers and operations in China. Its datasets are commonly used in environmental risk screening, responsible sourcing, and sustainability due diligence.
Structure and governance
IPE operates as a non-profit organisation with a defined leadership and programme structure. It is led by a founder-director and supported by research, data, and programme teams specialising in environmental information, corporate engagement, and public outreach.The organisation collaborates extensively with domestic and international partners, including NGOs, academic institutions, corporates, and financial actors. These partnerships support data verification, methodological development, and broader adoption of environmental transparency practices.
Programs and offerings
IPE’s most prominent outputs include publicly accessible environmental databases that compile regulatory records on corporate pollution, compliance breaches, and enforcement actions. These tools allow users to trace environmental risks across facilities and supply chains.In addition to databases, IPE produces research reports, corporate benchmarking studies, and policy-relevant analysis on environmental performance. It also delivers engagement programmes that support companies and investors in improving supply chain oversight, making its resources particularly valuable for sustainability practitioners and finance professionals focused on China-related environmental risk.
Vision and mission: Bring back clear water and blue skies, Protect the Earth
