CED is an independent research and development, training and consultancy organisation focussing in fields related to Environment and Development. It is a registered society under the Travancore-Cochin Scientific & Literary Charitable Societies Act, 1955. The primary objective of the Centre is to carry out multi and inter-disciplinary research on environmental and developmental issues. The Centre is working in association with various governmental agencies and multilateral organisations like Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, World Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, Asian Development Bank, IDRC, RNE, Commonwealth Local Government Forum and many other organisations.CED is the “Centre of Excellence” of Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India.CED is the Regional Resource Agency of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and also the Accredited Agency of Government of Kerala for Solid Waste Management and Participatory Resource Mapping.