Zhang Jianqiu, executive president of Yili Group, speaks at the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 14) in Egypt, Nov 19. [Photo/Yili Group]

China's dairy giant Yili Group unveiled its annual report on biodiversity conservation during the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 14), which opened on Nov 14 in Egypt's resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

As the only company having signed the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Yili was invited to participate in the meeting with decision makers from over 190 countries to discuss efforts to improve biodiversity.

Zhang Jianqiu, executive president of Yili, said at the meeting that the company has continued to uphold the theory of sustainable development while pursuing business growth in recent years.

Latest statistics show that Yili posted a 16.88 percent year-on-year increase for the first nine months of this year, with revenues reaching nearly 61.33 billion yuan ($8.80 billion), making it the top earner in the Chinese dairy industry.

Zhang also stressed the efforts Yili has made on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

According to its annual report on biodiversity conservation, Yili has worked with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to protect wetlands in Northeast China.

The company has established 39 monitoring spots for waterbirds in the protected wetlands to improve the biodiversity.

Yili also placed the popularization of biodiversity protection as a priority task.

In September this year, the company organized consumers to protect animal in wetlands in Jilin province. As of now, the serial program has brought the protected wetlands area to 260,000 square kilometers.

Pan Gang, chairman of Yili Group, proposed the theory of "green leadership" at the Summer Davos Forum in 2007, addressing the importance of taking a green path in expanding the company's influence.

In 2009, Yili updated this theory as a strategy for building a green industrial chain, with the aim of driving common development of the dairy industry across the country.

From sourcing milk to using recycled and renewable forms of packaging, the idea of green and low-carbon development has been implemented into every aspect of the company's business.

As of 2017, Yili has used 2.4 billion bags made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified packaging materials, helping to promote the sustainable management of forests covering an area of 80,000 mu (5,333 hectares).

“The 15th meeting of CBD COP will be held in China in 2020 for the first time,”said Zhang Jianqiu, expressing his hope that more companies in China will work with Yili to protect biodiversity.  

Yili's efforts in biodiversity have won acclaim from all parties, especially the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Zhang Jianqiu (L), executive president of Yili Group, poses with a UN official during the CBD COP 14, Nov 19. [Photo/Yili Group]

Zhang (L) receives an interview during the CBD COP 14, Nov 19. [Photo/Yili Group]