Companies engaged in promoting biodiversity

Representatives from at least 13 companies gathered in Beijing and signed an agreement on Sep 14, vowing to promote biodiversity in China with governmental agencies and research institutes.

"We are determined to actively participate in the implementation of the China Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011-2030); to respond positively to the international community's goal to achieve the Convention of Biological Diversity and the 'Aichi biodiversity' targets; and to commit ourselves to Chinese and global biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and benefit-sharing, and the exploration of a new model for biodiversity-friendly green development," the agreement said.

Senior staff members from home products producer Nature Home (China) Co and financial services company HSBC spoke on behalf of all the companies, and talked about the three aspects the companies have agreed on to promote biodiversity.

Companies will train their employees, try to minimize their environmental interference during domestic and international trade, and will support charitable activities launched by the communities they belong to, as a supplement to their corporate social responsibilities.

According to the 2011 report of the United Nations Environment Program, 60 percent of global ecosystems are degenerating or are being used by humans in an unsustainable way. Biodiversity worldwide has decreased by 12 percent in the past 20 years, and by 30 percent in tropical areas.

Despite a series of actions, the situation of biodiversity protection is still grim in China, said Vice-Premier Li Keqiang on the first conference of the China Biodiversity Conservation National Committee in June. One of the key problems faced by the country is the lack of investment in protection.