Father of environmental protection in China to receive WWF's highest award

Posted on September, 11 2001

At a special ceremony in Seville today, Professor Qu Geping was awarded WWF's highest award, the Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal, in recognition of his enormous contribution to environmental issues in China.

SEVILLE, Spain - At a special ceremony in Seville today, Professor Qu Geping was awarded WWF's highest award, the Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal, in recognition of his enormous contribution to environmental issues in China.

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who is in Seville for celebrations to mark WWF's 40th anniversary presented the award at a special ceremony.

Prof. Qu has played a key role in the development of environmental protection in China.

One of the founders and principal figures in China's governmental environmental protection agencies, he was responsible for establishing the three guiding principles for environmental protection work: pollution prevention; the 'polluter pays' principle; and stronger environmental regulations.

A practical and realistic champion of the environment, since 1972, he has worked to integrate environmental protection policies within China's economic and industrial development strategies in order to make China's development sustainable.

In addition to his work with government, Prof. Qu has also played an important role in developing environmental awareness and action in Chinese society as a whole.

He has tried to increase environmental awareness by encouraging journalists to report fully on environmental issues. He has also given support to the development of indigenous Chinese environmental non-governmental organizations.

"Prof. Qu was chosen as recipient for this award based on his outstanding contribution to the preservation of the natural environment in China," said Dr. Claude Martin, WWF's Director General. "At a time when the world is looking towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development, WWF is proud to be able to honour a man who has the vision and the understanding to integrate this concept into his conservation work from the very start."

The Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal is given each year to those individuals who have made highly meritorious contributions to the conservation of wildlife and natural resources.

Previous recipients include Dr. Luc Hoffman (1998), Mr. Lester R. Brown (1989), Dr. Norman Myers (1983), Mr. Guy Mountfort (1978) and Sir Julian Huxley (1970).

For further information:

Olivier van Bogaert, WWF International, tel: +41 22 364 9554, email: ovanbogaert@wwfint.org