The Durant Guild Initiates Pollinator Protectors Alliance for Biodiversity Conservation
2022-12-21
Shanghai – The Durant Guild yesterday initiated the Pollinator Protectors Alliance (PPA) with Colorful Earth, the ESG division of EFMAC, the Rainforest Alliance, and other companies and organizations to drive awareness of pollinators and biodiversity.
About 75% of crops worldwide are dependent on pollinators. However, more than 40% of pollinators are at risk of extinction, according to a recent United Nations report. PPA is dedicated to driving public awareness to support industry transformation, urban biodiversity conservation and restoration, and pollinator protection.
“Diversity is in the DNA of The Durant Guild, as we curate a diversified portfolio of iconic vehicles to energize diversified lifestyles,” said Peter Wolkowicz, chief strategy and innovation officer of The Durant Guild. “Biodiversity is crucial for the well-being of our mother planet, yet many people don’t realize that pollinators are fundamental to that biodiversity. Our goal is to work with our partners to reinforce the significance of pollinators and lead by example in raising awareness.”
This year’s United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) concluded in Montreal, Canada, on December 19 with a landmark agreement to guide global action on nature through 2030. Chaired by China and hosted by Canada, COP15 resulted in the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which aims to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems and protect indigenous rights. As an important component of the Earth's biodiversity, pollinators are closely related to the ecosystem and well-being of human production and life. Nearly 90% of the world's flowering plants are dependent on pollinators to deliver pollen for successful reproduction. In addition, pollinators support the agricultural system of modern society.
“Though pollinators are small, they are essential to human beings and our Earth,” said Koko Tang, secretary of PPA, co-founder of Colorful Earth and convenor of The Durant Guild. “We all have to realize that we cannot live without pollinators!”
More than 40 companies, NGOs and organizations across industries, including food, finance, hospitality, media and travel, have already joined the alliance. As its first project, PPA is calling for design entries for insect pollinator resorts. Designers and architects across industries are invited to submit their ideas. The selected designs will be installed in the embassy compounds of countries and regions that signed the Ambassador of Nature initiative in Beijing earlier this year. Additional details will be shared by PPA at a later date.
Cathy He, co-founder of Colorful Earth, pointed out: “What is important is raising public awareness, and restoring and protecting habitats, for pollinators to survive and thrive.”
A panel discussion on pollinator conservation and maintaining ecological balance was held in connection with the online launch of PPA yesterday. It featured Koko Tang; Alenka Suhadolnik, Slovenia's ambassador to China; Xia Yihan, partnership manager of The Durant Guild; Hu Xinyan, chief representative of the Rainforest Alliance China; Terry Townshend, partner of Colorful Earth and senior advisor of the Paulson Institute; and Dr. John Mackinnon, a biodiversity conservation expert.
About The Durant Guild
As General Motors’ Premium Import business in China, the Durant Guild features a collection of iconic vehicles, co-creates possibilities with a community, elevates brand and product experiences, and creates intimate and deeper connections with mobility. Visit durantguild.com or The Durant Guild’s WeChat to explore more.