This paper describes research exploring the relationship between international recommendations for environmental education (EE) developed at United Nations (UN) Conferences and non-formal EE initiatives undertaken by Chinese civil organisations. Specifically, the research assesses how international recommendations may have influenced the development and the delivery of Chinese non-formal EE programmes. Data were collected and analysed through an interpretivist perspective and involved: (1) historical and content analysis of recommendations from UN-sponsored conferences related to EE; (2) interviews with academics, Chinese officials and Chinese civil organisations representatives; and (3) document analysis of academic literature as well as governmental and non-governmental publications related to EE. Findings were interpreted in terms of patterns of influence and consistency. Results show that international recommendations for EE did not directly influence non-formal EE efforts in China; nevertheless, some of these efforts seem consistent with international recommendations. Based on these results, questions are raised about the nature of communication between participants in international deliberations and practitioners at the local level. Suggestions are made for improving this communication. (Contains 3 tables and 1 note.)