The EU-China project SPRING (Scoping China's Environmental Research Excellence and Major Infrastructure: Foresight, Potentials and Roadmaps) has recently completed two significant studies. The first is a comprehensive comparative review of the environment research and policy sectors in the EU and China. The second study presents emerging issues concerning bilateral research and projects likely future trends. The sectors reviewed are: climate change, atmosphere, water, soil, biodiversity and natural hazards. Invited experts will be asked to critically review the findings and contribute in their field of expertise.