Nature provides a non-negotiable foundation for economic growth, human health and prosperity. However, businesses in all sectors and geographies have negative impacts on nature, causing it to degrade faster than it can regenerate. Over half of the global GDP, and 65% of China’s total GDP is at risk of disruption from nature loss, affecting the future viability of business operations. In this workshop, the below topics will be touched upon: (1) What is the global status quo on collective action for halting and reversing biodiversity loss, under the key context of the “nature-equivalent Paris Agreement” – Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework being adopted by 196 parties during UNCBD COP15 in December of 2022. (2) What guidance and framework have been published to guide the collective action, and what key enablers are missing now to accelerate the global movement?

Since Oct. 2019, Dr. Zhu is leading the Nature Initiatives of the Centre for Nature and Climate (CNC) covering Tropical Forest Alliance, One Trillian Trees China Action, Nature Action Agenda, Ocean Action Agenda and Natural Capital Valuation. Nature initiatives works with partners and stakeholders to create a nature-positive global economy that better serves people and the planet.

Among his accomplishments are the initiation, development and pilot testing of a new concept of Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP), technical support of the development of national park and protected area systems in China, and the initiation of FSC certification. He holds expertise in landscape approach, ecoregion conservation, systematic conservation planning, protected area management, ecosystem governance, national park system development, natural capital and ecosystem services accounting and sustainable trade of soft commodities in the country.

Most recently Dr. Zhu served as the IUCN Country Representative for China (2012.03-2019.09) and the Conservation Director (2005.08-2012.02) and Forest Programme Director (2000.02-2005.07) of WWF China. Dr. Zhu received his PhD in 1991 and was promoted as Research Professor in 1997.