Why did they come all the way from Singapore to talk about China's environmental protection story at COP28
"Temasek Foundation in Singapore has just received a visit. Xie Xiaohui, Secretary General of Vanke Foundation and Chairman of CEGA, hurried over, "At COP28, Temasek Foundation listened to my speech and was very interested in China's ecological and environmental protection work, especially in the area of zero-waste communities. This time, they came all the way from Singapore to communicate with us. ”
At the COP28 "China Pavilion" event, Xie Xiaohui told the world the story of China's frontline response to climate change, which attracted the attention of participants from around the world.
Tell the story of China's environmental protection to the world
"From my personal experience, Western countries are actually very interested in understanding China. However, stereotypes make it hard for them to believe the official propaganda. However, the other side is more receptive to the propaganda of Chinese NGOs. Xie Xiaohui told reporters that she is very proud to have this experience in her life, to be able to tell the world the story of China's environmental protection, and let the world see the sustainable, multi-dimensional and ambitious "Chinese power in action".
Ten years ago, Xie Xiaohui participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP19 for the first time. The comparison between the 10 years and the past 10 years made her full of emotion: "Ten years ago, most of the people attending the meeting were government officials. At COP28, there were more and more observer representatives such as NGOs who were concerned about environmental protection and climate change issues. The presence from China is also more active, with a large number of participants and institutions, from the China Corner to the Green Zone, which has expanded in scope and content. In 2022, 20 entrepreneurs spoke at the China Corner, and in 2023, 90 entrepreneurs, reflecting the initiative of Chinese entrepreneurs to participate in global climate action. ”
Vanke Foundation not only participated in the activities of the COP28 "China Corner" venue, but also set up exhibitions at the outdoor exhibition at the venue. "There are a lot of organizations that have signed up to participate in the big exhibition, and the winning rate of applications is only 1 in 20. We are also very excited to be selected. Xie Xiaohui said that at the exhibition, the Vanke Charity Foundation showcased the Foundation's achievements in the protection of the Everest snow leopard and the improvement of the public's awareness of zero waste in the form of pictures and videos with the titles of "The Roof of Ice and Snow Melting" and "Zero Waste in the Forbidden City", which attracted many representatives at home and abroad.
During COP28, a side event was successfully held at the premises of the UN Secretariat. "It's also a very competitive selection process. We are delighted that we have been selected for a conference proposal on how to reduce food waste in China. Xie Xiaohui told reporters that experts from different countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and India were invited to have a dialogue and introduce the experience and achievements of their respective countries in reducing food waste. "The entire side event was broadcast live on YouTube, and the world could learn about China's efforts to reduce food waste through this side event. ”
Applaud for China's ecological and environmental protection
"We're not going to negotiate, we're going to coordinate the negotiation work of the national delegation. Xie Xiaohui said, "Many Westerners only know about China's afforestation, and we hope that through our publicity, the world can learn more about China's achievements in ecological and environmental protection in recent years." ”
In recent years, China's achievements in ecological and environmental protection have given Xie Xiaohui more confidence and content to tell China's story.
In Xie Xiaohui's mind, China is a top student in the field of ecological and environmental protection, especially in the field of air quality improvement.
On September 15, 2021, Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment, introduced in a series of press conferences on the theme of "China's Decade".2.5Average concentrations from 46 μg/m in 20153It fell to 33 μg/m in 20203and 30μg/m in 20213, which has historically reached the WHO Phase I transition value. ”
What makes Xie Xiaohui even more proud is that Vanke Charity Foundation has also contributed its own strength in the battle against pollution. "Together with our partner NGOs, we supported IPE's Blue Map APP, and released environmental monitoring content such as the risk index of online monitoring of pollution sources of listed companies, and the map of garbage classification. Xie Xiaohui said.
In the field of biodiversity conservation, in 2013, Vanke Foundation established a strategic partnership with the Tibet Autonomous Region Forestry and Grassland Administration to jointly release the "Everest Snow Leopard Conservation Plan", and at the 2023 COP28 Dubai Climate Conference, the Blue Zone officially exhibited the theme exhibition "The Roof of Ice and Snow Melting", showcasing the biodiversity of Mount Everest, including the snow leopard, and the work results of the "Everest Snow Leopard Conservation Plan" through pictures and videos, and introducing how China's non-governmental forces can protect the world's third pole through climate action.
"We hope to protect the ecological environment of Mount Everest by protecting the snow leopard and protect the 'water tower of Asia'. Xie Xiaohui said that Central Asia and other countries are very concerned about our work to protect the ecological environment around Mount Everest by protecting the snow leopard on Mount Everest. "At COP28, representatives of many Central Asian countries had in-depth exchanges with us on this topic. ”
In terms of soil pollution control, in 2020, Vanke Charity Foundation launched the Zero Waste Project in the Forbidden City. During COP28, the environmental derivatives of this project once again appeared on the stage of the climate conference. "The most popular products in the exhibition are the Forbidden City series of cultural and creative products made from recycled waste plastic bottles, fallen leaves and branches. Xie Xiaohui said that in addition to the silk scarves, eye masks, environmental protection bags and other products that have been unveiled at COP27, the exhibition also added 100% recycled environmentally friendly tote bags, creative woven bracelets and other more fashionable and leading young people's consumption boom.
Over the past four years, the "Zero Waste Forbidden City" project has brought about 3,000 Palace Museum staff, 40,000 tour guides, and 21 million visitors to join the action of building a green Palace Museum, and more than 200 international and domestic guests have visited the construction of the Palace Museum.
"We continue to broaden the boundaries of climate action through diversified, young and trendy public participation methods, so that young people have more access to approach, experience and practice climate action. Xie Xiaohui introduced.
Vanke Foundation also cooperated with Blue Map to launch the "Waste Carbon Footprint Shooting" volunteer activity, inviting everyone to take pictures of waste household appliances, clothes, books and newspapers at home through the Blue Map app to understand their carbon emissions.
"On the garbage collection, transportation and treatment side, we have also done some work on public guidance, carried out waste-free work in more than 27,000 communities, driven communities to carry out kitchen waste treatment and other activities, and promoted community ecological governance and organic matter circulation through composting and other means. Xie Xiaohui said.
I am a part of building a beautiful China
The "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Promoting the Construction of a Beautiful China" issued not long ago proposes to transform the construction of a beautiful China into a conscious behavior of all people, and encourage grassroots units such as parks, enterprises, communities, and schools to carry out green, clean, and zero-carbon leading actions, so as to form a good social atmosphere in which everyone participates and everyone shares.
"The construction of beautiful China is not a bonsai, but a vast world and a forest. Xie Xiaohui's understanding of the construction of a beautiful China is vivid.
To build a forest, it is necessary to mobilize the efforts of all sectors of society. Xie Xiaohui does just that: "We hope that more entrepreneurs can understand the international environmental protection trend and be in line with international standards." Now we have established contacts with industry associations such as the New Energy Association and the Textile Industry Association, and called on more than 1 million enterprises to participate in the construction of a beautiful China. ”
Speaking out at COP28 also gave Xie Xiaohui an unexpected resonance, "For example, the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) also praised our community's waste management approach. ”
"Under the 2030 'dual carbon' strategy, the Foundation hopes to explore how China's urban communities can strive towards carbon neutrality after carbon peaking. Can there be technologies and management methods with lower energy consumption and higher energy efficiency?," Xie Xiaohui said, to this end, starting in 2021, under the guidance of relevant governments, Vanke Charity Foundation has joined more than a dozen partners to explore a more low-carbon and environmentally-friendly, more participatory and action-oriented community carbon-neutral life paradigm - Meisha Carbon Neutral Community.
