A Beijing event to promote green transport in 2008. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A decade later in China, the EDF helped to set up the nation's first sulfur-dioxide trading program in Nantong, Jiangsu province, after which the government decided to expand the pilot program to four provinces, three cities and one company, marking the country's first venture into the "cap and trade" concept.

In 2004, Dudek received the Friendship Award, the highest honor given by the Chinese government to foreigners for their contributions to the country.

"I was delighted, because this meant that environment was becoming a real priority for the (Chinese) government," says Dudek.

"Introducing foreign experts is all about introducing the new ideas, so we can learn from some of the expensive lessons that other countries have gone through," says Dudek. "It's like the old Chinese saying: If you want to know what lies ahead, ask someone coming back."

Dudek has been to China around 200 times, visiting every province for various environmental projects.