The Nature of Cities
Forum: "Low Carbon transformation for
Chinese enterprises"
29 July 2010, Shanghai/ Nairobi - Chinese
entrepreneurs and representatives from major
Chinese businesses, including the country's
largest real estate company, Vanke, and
air conditioning manufacturer Broad Air,
gathered today in the UN Pavilion at the
Expo 2010 Shanghai to take part in a forum
entitled: "The Nature of Cities- Low
Carbon Transformation and Chinese Enterprises".
Held six months prior
to the United Nations Climate Change Conference
in Cancún, Mexico, the forum is designed
as a platform for green business leaders
to discuss ways of reducing carbon emissions
in China.
Co-hosted by the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
the Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology
(SEE), the forum brought together green
business leaders, government officials,
and specialists on low-carbon transformation.
The aim of the forum is to encourage the
development of a low-carbon economy driven
by Chinese entrepreneurs as well as demonstrating
the competitiveness of low-carbon enterprises
in China.
SEE, an environmental
NGO based in China, was founded in 2004
by over 100 entrepreneurs and initially
focused on anti-desertification efforts
in northwestern China. It now works with
Chinese businesses to promote environmental
and social responsibilities.
A central theme of the
"Nature of Cities" forum is the
integration of low-carbon technology into
Chinese businesses. This would not only
provide a boost to China's green economy
but also improve bio-diversity in urban
environments by reducing carbon emissions.
Chinese businesses are
expected to play a leading role in achieving
the country's goal for reducing carbon emissions
and contributing to global sustainable development.
UNEP and SEE will also
announce the 'neutralising' of carbon emissions
caused by participants' travel to the forum
by purchasing emission quotas from the China
Environment and Energy Network. Together
with the extensive discussions taking place
at the Shanghai forum, it is hoped this
small action will spur local businesses
into working towards a low-carbon economy
in China.
