ReThink Forum
Nature-Positive: A Whole-of-Government and Society Approach
11 Sep (Fri) Day 2 : 10:40 – 11:00
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan places ecological protection and the relationship between humanity and nature at the heart of the country’s development through 2030. It calls for stronger and more resilient ecosystems, supported by national parks, protected areas, ecological conservation red lines and the restoration of degraded landscapes. But how can these ambitions be translated into effective protection for species and habitats while accommodating economic development and the needs of local communities? Professor Lu Zhi will examine China’s evolving approach to nature and biodiversity conservation, the priorities emerging from the 15th Five-Year Plan, and what will be required to turn national commitments into lasting ecological outcomes.
Speakers
Prof. Zhi Lu
Professor
Peking University / ShanShui Conservation Center
Prof. Zhi Lu
Peking University / ShanShui Conservation Center
Professor
Dr. Lu Zhi is a Boya Distinguished Professor at Peking University. She founded Peking University’s Center for Nature and Society, and Shan Shui Conservation Center. She also serves as the co-chair of the second global assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
Dr. Lu’s research tackles critical sustainability issues in China, with a focus on finding practical solutions that promote coexistence between humans and nature. Her work encompasses the study of ecosystem services (forests and grasslands), the natural history and conservation of endangered species like giant pandas and snow leopards, and the development of community-led conservation strategies. She is particularly known for her innovative approach, which tests and implements conservation tools grounded in economic incentives, cultural values, and policy improvements, ensuring that local communities benefit from their conservation efforts. This work extends to both rural and urban settings.
Dr. Lu Zhi earned her undergraduate degree and Ph.D. from Peking University. She has been a visiting scholar at the National Institutes of Health , Harvard University and the Yale School of Forest and Environmental Studies (2001-2002).