MK sportsphoto shows green belts along the Taklimakan Desert highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 16, 2005. Photo: Xinhua" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-12-08/df667736-22e5-4607-a3e6-39a8cf0e30d0.jpeg" />

This photo shows green belts along the Taklimakan Desert highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 16, 2005. Photo: Xinhua

A Chinese scientist dedicated to combating desertification has been awarded the Champions of the Earth, the UN's highest environmental honor, marking the first time a Chinese recipient has been recognized in the Science and Innovation category of the award, according to a release the National Forestry and Grassland Administration sent to the Global Times on Tuesday.

Lu Qi, the Chief Scientist of the Chinese Academy of Forestry and founding President of the Institute of Great Green Wall, played a key role in implementing the world's largest afforestation project, establishing expert research networks and partnerships, and boosting multilateral cooperation to stem desertification, land degradation and drought, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Lu has led over 50 research projects, and has published more than 180 peer-reviewed papers, authored 20 monographs, and assisted China in implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. Lu also contributes his expertise to a number of international organizations that are at the forefront of global action on desertification, providing best practices in mitigating desertification, land degradation and drought through multilateral cooperation.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UNEP, commended Lu's contribution to global desertification control, pointing out that Lu had proved in practice that by combining science and policy, human beings could solve the problem of land degradation, help communities adapt to climate change and create a better future for millions of people, according to the statement from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. 

Lu noted that several generations of Chinese scientific experts in desertification prevention and control have worked hard and created the miracle of scientific and technological sand control, contributing to the scientific and technological support for the construction of China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. This award will surely inspire China's ecological construction researchers, especially the young generation, to devote themselves more actively to the cause of ecological protection of the earth, Lu said, according to the statement. 

By organizing and implementing key projects such as the construction of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, China has protected 538 million acres of decertified land and effectively managed 118 million acres of decertified land. The forest coverage rate in the project area has increased from 12.41 percent to 13.84 percent, and 61 percent of the area affected by soil erosion has been effectively controlled, the statement noted.

According to the report from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification on Monday, some 77.6 percent of Earth's land experienced drier conditions during the three decades leading up to 2020 compared to the previous 30-year period.

The Champions of the Earth award honors individuals and organizations whose actions have a transformative impact on the environment. In 2024, UNEP honors individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to restore land, enhance drought resilience, and combat desertification, according to UNEP's official website.