Environmental biogeochemistry focuses on the research of interactive biogeochemical cycles of elements and compounds and transformational processes within the Earth Systems. Environmental biogeochemistry plays a critical role in enhancing agricultural and ecosystem productivity, ecosystem service and environmental sustainability across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Environmental biogeochemistry contributes to providing sustainable solutions to ensure food security and to manage the current global environmental crises (climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss) and human food production.

Both Australia and China are facing similar environmental challenges, including bushfires, frequent droughts and floods, land degradation, soil and water pollution, and disposal of increasing volume of wastes. The Australia-China Environmental Biogeochemistry Forum (ACEBF) provides a platform for facilitating transdisciplinary research and scientific exchange and enhancing research collaborations among the early- and mid-career Environmental Biogeochemistry scientists from Australia and China.

The idea for ACEBF was conceived by Prof Qiaoyun Huang (Huazhong Agricultural University) and Prof Chengrong Chen (Griffith University) during 2016-2017. The 1st ACEBF was successfully held at Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia on 2 Oct 2017 and over 30 scientists from both China and Australia participated in this forum. The 2nd and 3rd ACEBFs were held in Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China on 17 Sep 2018 and 12 April 2024, respectively, attracting over 100 scientists to attend the meetings.