Chinese scientist awarded by United Nations for desertification control

Chinese scientist Lu Qi was named a recipient of the Champions of the Earth award by the United Nations Environment Programme on Tuesday.

Lu, chief scientist of the Chinese Academy of Forestry and director of the Institute of Great Green Wall, became the first Chinese individual to receive the award in the science and innovation category.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the UNEP, highly praised Lu for his contributions to global desertification control.

She said that Lu has demonstrated through practice that by combining science and policy, humanity can address land degradation issues, help communities adapt to climate change and build a better future for millions of people.

"Almost 40 percent of the world's land is already degraded, desertification is on the rise and devastating droughts are becoming more regular. The good news is that solutions already exist today, and around the world, extraordinary individuals and organizations are demonstrating that it is possible to defend and heal our planet," Andersen said.

Lu is attending the ongoing 16th session of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

As a scientist, Lu has led over 50 desertification control-related research projects, assisting China in implementing the provisions of the UNCCD and providing expertise to the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Environment Facility and other international organizations at the forefront of global desertification action. This has offered best practices for mitigating desertification, land degradation and droughts through multilateral cooperation, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

"Receiving this honor, I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders has increased, and the duty has become stronger. This can inspire the younger generation because as long as they remember their mission and persist in innovation, they will definitely gain recognition from the international community and society. I hope that more young talent will participate in global ecological governance work," Lu said.

Lu participated in discussions on the African-led Great Green Wall initiative during COP16 in Riyadh, highlighting its alignment with China's long-standing efforts in sand control and ecological protection.

"We aim to share the successful experiences and models of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program and other ecological projects in China. We already have cooperation centers with Mongolia, Arab countries, and research centers in Central Asia, as well as forums for cooperation with Africa, all aimed at sharing China's wisdom and experiences worldwide," Lu added.

China initiated the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program in 1978, constructing a Green Great Wall through afforestation and ecological improvements in 13 northern provinces and regions.

China joined the UNCCD in 1994 as one of its first signatories.

The Champions of the Earth award is the highest honor in the environmental field awarded by the UN to recognize pioneers at the forefront of efforts to protect the people and the Earth. Since its inception in 2005, 122 recipients have been honored.

In 2017, the builders of Saihanba Forest Farm in northern China's Hebei province received the award for their inspiration and action.