Novartis executive shares sustainability practices in China at COP31

(ECNS) — Barbara Vrede, vice president and global head of social impact and sustainability strategy at Novartis, shared the company’s sustainability practices in China at a side event themed “Ecological Civilization and Beautiful China Practice” held at the China Pavilion during the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Tuesday.

Held on the sidelines of COP31, the side event was jointly hosted by the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization and China News Service, with the Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and China News Network serving as co-organizers.

Vrede highlighted Novartis’ long-running Sichuan Forestry Carbon Sink, Community and Biodiversity Project, emphasizing the importance of creating ecological, social and economic value through environmental action. 

According to Vrede, Novartis believes human health and the health of the planet are closely linked, and it has embedded environmental sustainability in its corporate strategy.

China has been an important part of Novartis’ journey for more than a century, Vrede said. China is also a key country where the company is translating its global social impact and sustainability ambitions into local action, working with governments, communities, experts and other partners to create long-term environmental and social value, she added. In China, the company is focused on reducing emissions from its own sites and working closely with suppliers to advance decarbonization across its supply chain. 

Turning to specific initiatives, Vrede highlighted the company’s long-standing Sichuan Forestry Carbon Sink, Community and Biodiversity Project as an example of its efforts.

Launched in 2010 as an afforestation-based initiative to reduce carbon emissions, the project has since evolved into a broader, long-term partnership encompassing ecological restoration, biodiversity protection and community development. 

According to Vrede, the project has established nearly 4,000 hectares of forest, with approximately 21 million trees planted across five counties and three nature reserves. It has benefited more than 4,200 local households and over 18,000 residents, while generating approximately 40 million yuan (about $6 million) in labor income for local communities.

The experience shows that environmental action can create ecological, social and economic value at the same time, she said. 

She welcomed the recognition of the long-running project as an outstanding example of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practice by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, while stressing that recognition was not the end of the journey.

Novartis would continue learning from the experience and exploring how such long-term practices could contribute to wider discussions on ecological restoration, biodiversity, high-quality carbon sinks and sustainable community development, she added. 

Looking ahead, Vrede said climate change, nature loss, community resilience and human health are increasingly interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. Global ambitions become most meaningful when translated into tangible local impact. Novartis looks forward to continuing its work with governments, communities, experts and partners in China to help build a healthier and more sustainable future for people, communities and the planet.

（By Liu Shen）