BEIJING, June 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai-Film stars, famous directors, producers and other celebrities will walk the red carpet tonight to open the 11th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). This year, they’ll be asked to do something different -- to offset their carbon footprint, making the SIFF the first large-scale carbon neutral event in China.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/20061107113358-34.jpg )
Initiated by the China Environmental Awareness Programme (CEAP), a joint programme between United Nations Development Programme in China, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and Ministry of Commerce, the film festival features three innovative greening schemes: the Carbon Neutral Initiative, the Green Figure Award, and screening of green films.
Through the most acclaimed film festival in China, UNDP aims to reach people across the country with the idea of carbon neutral.
“A low carbon economy, cleaner, more efficient energy choices and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship are worthy endeavors for everyone,” says Renaud Meyer, Deputy Country Director of UNDP China.
Movie stars and other participants in the film festival are invited to voluntarily offset their carbon emissions generated by their air travel to the festival.
UNDP China’s National Goodwill Ambassador, Chinese actress/celebrity Zhou Xun, is the first to answer the call to take part in the Carbon Neutral Initiative. Joining Mr. Meyer on the red carpet on behalf of UNDP, she says: “Not only am I going to offset my own emissions, my working team and my friends will join me to do the same.”
“Individually, offsetting our own carbon footprint is does not cost a lot of money and if we all do our part, we can make a great difference to turn the tide on global warming.”
Furthermore, a series of green activities will be held during the two-week event, one of the 12 competitive international film festivals accredited by the International Federation of Film Producer Associations.
20 green films selected out of 46 entries from 21 countries will be screened in theaters, universities and local communities, out of which 10 will be awarded as best green films. Audience will have the chance to view Monkey Puzzle by Mark Forstmann, The Day After Tomorrow by Roland Emmerich, The 11th Hour by Nadia Conners, The Host by Joon-ho Bong, The Railway In The Cloud by Feng Xiaoning, among many others.
UNDP will support SIFF to set up an award scheme to recognize TOP 10 green Chinese film stars selected through online public voting and a panel made of environmental experts and filmmakers. The award will be announced and presented during the opening celebration.
“Through our joint efforts, the festival has taken a big step forward and goes beyond screening green films as we embark on several initiatives to encourage greening of the film industry,” said Meyer. “This festival is a unique opportunity where the film community can put its environmental concerns into practice.”
Background:
Carbon neutral refers to zero total carbon release, by balancing the amount of carbon released with the amount offset. Carbon offsets are measured in metric tones. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. By paying the offset costs, people can purchase carbon credits from carbon exchange markets such as the European Carbon Market at the rate of USD 35, or RMB 250 per ton. The purchased credits will be neutralized through supporting renewable energy projects and eco-friendly initiatives such as wind farms, solar installations or forest planting.
To calculate carbon footprints and for further information on the carbon neutral initiative, please go to the official website of China Environmental Awareness Programme through:
Chinese: http://www.chinaceap.org/index.asp
English: http://www.chinaceap.org/english/index.asp
About UNDP’s work in tackling climate change:
Building on over 15 years of achievement and experience, UNDP capitalizes on its global network to help China strive towards a lower-carbon economy, mobilizing the partnerships, finance, knowledge and technologies to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. UNDP places special attention to the plight of poor and vulnerable communities, helping build capacities to adapt to the emerging impacts of climate change.
UNDP fosters human development to empower women and men to build better lives in China. As the UN’s development network, UNDP draws on a world of experience to assist China in developing its own solutions to the country’s development challenges. Through partnerships and innovation, UNDP works to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and an equitable Xiao Kang society by reducing poverty, strengthening the rule of law, promoting environmental sustainability, and fighting HIV/AIDS. http://www.undp.org.cn
