CUNI is an accredited public university and belongs to the most eminent educational and scientific establishments; the Environment Center of the Charles University is leading institution in environmental research, especially its socio-economic aspects, in the Czech Republic. It has been participating in many national and international research projects within the EC FPs, EEA or with OECD. Its main research focus lies in benefit valuation, consumer behaviour and demand analysis of environmentally-related goods, quantification of external costs and analysis of economic, environmental and distributive impacts of environmental regulation. It actively collaborates with the Czech parliamentarian bodies and state administration. It is currently member of ETC/CCA and is a member of framework contracts for economic analysis for DG Environment and DG CLIMA.