SEE

About SEE

The Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology is a public charity and non-profit organization dedicated to social responsibility and environmental conservation. Driven by the vision of entrepreneurs and a commitment to ecological preservation, our mission is to advance environmental public welfare through a comprehensive and diverse approach to environmental stewardship.

We focus on addressing key environmental challenges such as desertification, climate change, business sustainability, coastal wetland preservation, biodiversity conservation, and promoting sustainable industry development. As an NGO bringing entrepreneurs and social activists together, committed to corporate social responsibility, we aim to lead positive change for our environment by spearheading impactful initiatives. Our goals include:

United Globally for Environmental Protection

Unite global entrepreneurs with local communities across the United States, Southeast Asia, South America, and Africa to drive impactful environmental change.

Support Academic Research and Education

Partner with university scholars and support their research to develop innovative solutions to ecological issues. Foster education and proactive measures to address and mitigate environmental challenges.

Empower Local NGOs

Make strategic donations and form partnerships with local NGOs to lead efforts in rebuilding and safeguarding natural ecosystems. Collaborate with grassroots organizations and NGOs to ensure community-rooted environmental efforts.

Promote Sustainability

Champion sustainability initiatives to create a legacy for future generations.

Global Sustainability Leadership

SEE US is at the forefront of leading the global collaboration of environemtnal challenges.

Sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly 2024

On February 28, 2024, entrepreneurs from around the globe convened at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya, under the banner of the Business and Industry Major Group (BIMG). Joining forces with representatives from various divisions of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), including the Early Warning and Assessment Division, Climate Change Division, Ecosystems Division, and Industry and Economy Division, the BIMG engaged in a dynamic panel discussion advocating for biodiversity conservation. The event served as a platform to underscore the crucial significance of knowledge exchange, sustainable development, and biodiversity preservation across these sectors. Among the distinguished speakers was Song Zhao, a member of the Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology and President of Melius Advisory, who shared her profound insights on raising public awareness regarding biodiversity and sustainable development through the integration of art and technology. Drawing inspiration from the innovative ELEPOP project in New York, which utilizes art and technology to foster civic engagement and education on biodiversity, Zhao introduced a pioneering approach that harnesses the power of art and technology as educational tools and social media platforms as conduits to actively engage the public in learning about biodiversity and sustainability. The leaders and participants of the panel lauded the ingenuity of these initiatives, underscoring the imperative of fostering public awareness and promoting sustainable development. They proposed continued collaboration across sectors to advance biodiversity conservation and sustainable development efforts in the future.

2023 New York Climate Week

From September 17th to September 24th, 2023, the New York Climate Week took place in the United States. During this period, three directors organized a delegation of 14 members focused on climate resilience and nature conservation. The main forms of participation included visits to international institutions, exchanges at international conferences, and inspections of local projects, with attendance at over 20 conference activities in New York. On the first day of the New York Climate Week, the three directors and members engaged in extensive discussions at their respective forums. The sessions "Unleashing the potential of private finance to accelerate net-zero emissions and nature benefits" and "Implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and stopping and reversing nature loss by 2030" prompted deep and extensive reflections. Dr. Li Lin, the Global Policy and Advocacy Director of WWF, shared projects on biodiversity in China and those of the Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology. On September 19th, participation included the "Sports for Nature" event held jointly by the IUCN, International Olympic Committee, UN Environment Program, and Convention on Biological Diversity at Central Park in New York, as well as the RPA Public Welfare Charity System Transformation Conference, which Mentors Xiao Yu and Xin Jun's team participated in. On September 20th, the three directors and volunteer teams were invited to one of the world's two largest investment banks, Morgan Stanley, to learn and discuss the impact of global investment banking and wealth management on ESG and sustainable development. Ms. Catherine, President of Morgan Stanley, provided considerable support and engaged in discussions for nearly two hours. Additionally, the Science-based Target Network (SBTN) was attended, focusing on how global NGOs, particularly those in the United States and China, can establish science-based climate and nature conservation goals.

2024 New York Climate Week

Panel Discussion on Catalyzing Environmental Solutions

On September 24th, 2024, Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology, Inc hosted a panel discussion with joint efforts of Columbia University Business School on the topic of Entrepreneurship & Impact Investment. The panel is led and moderated by CEO of Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology, Inc, Song Zhao joined by leading business leaders from Morgan Stanley, non-profit leaders and other fund managers. 50+ professors and students from Columbia University and non-profit organization joined the panel and shared insights and thought leadership in how entrepreneurship solutions is leading the investment innovation in environmental protection non-profit sector. Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology, Inc demonstrated the leading techniques in social investment to foster non-profit organization that impacts environmental protection.

Sustainable Finance Panel for Environmental Protection

On September 26th, 2024, Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology, Inc hosted bilateral discussions with Goldman Sachs on global sustainable finance. Serving as the primary host, she engaged top business leaders, financial advisors, and sustainability experts in bilateral meetings aimed at driving transparency and fostering collaboration across the global sustainable finance market. These discussions bridged the gap between international entrepreneurs and financial advisors, helping them better understand emerging trends in sustainability and address the evolving needs of the market.

Green Partnership High-Level Convention

As a highlight of 2024 New York Climate Week, CEO Ms.Zhao led Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology Inc, organized and led a series of high-level engagements, curating thought leadership on key nature-related topics to guide the global narrative and provide platforms for exchanging ideas and exploring public-private partnerships while incubating new initiatives. One of the significant events was the Green Partnership High-level Convention. The convention facilitated discussions on best practices for biodiversity preservation, the role of business engagement in advancing sustainability goals, and the importance of policy frameworks that support international collaboration. More than 100 leaders, including UN officials, philanthropists, business executives, and international representatives, gathered to join the convention.

The Convention brought in support, recognition, and collaboration with the World Economic Forum’s GAEA (Giving to Amplify Earth Action) Initiative and the Foundation 20 Platform (G20 initiative). Society of Entrepreneurs & Ecology, Inc. attracted esteemed participants to join the collaboration and discussions, such as Mr. Amandeep Singh Gill, Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology at the United Nations; Ms. Eileen Rockefeller, Co-Founder and President of the Growald Climate Fund; Ms. Ligia Noronha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of UNEP’s New York Office; Mr. Joe Walston, Executive Vice President of the World Conservation Society (WCS); and Mr. Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Global Leader of Climate & Energy at WWF. This convention, further elevating the agenda of a nature-positive economy, showcased ambition and leadership, and encouraged all private and public participants and countries to start or accelerate their actions.

Precedent Projects

The following global projects were led and supported by the directors of Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology throughout the past decade.

Desertification Prevention

100 million Suosuo

Overview: Director of SEE launched the 100 million Suosuo Project in 2014, to address the pressing challenges of land degradation and desertification as well as deterioration of livelihoods and incomes of local communities. With the participation of local governments, local herders and their cooperatives, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and the general public, the project aims to plant 100 million desert plants represented by saxauls (Suosuo) and restore 133,300 hectares of vegetation in key ecosystem areas in Alxa within a time span of ten years while making good use of the derivative economic value of Saxauls, shifting to eco-friendly economic sectors and improving living standards of local communities.

Achievements: The project aims to plant 100 million desert plants represented by saxauls (Suosuo) and restore 133,300 hectares of vegetation in key ecosystem areas in Alxa, Inner Mongolia during 2014-2023. From 2014 to 2023, 80.93 million desert plants had been planted, covering an area of 114,533 hectares.

0

Desert Plants Planted

0

Hectares of Vegetation Restored

Groundwater Conservation

Overview: The project aims to achieve the balance of groundwater acquisition and recharge in the oasis agricultural area of Alxa. It will reduce groundwater acquisition for agricultural activities by promoting water-saving crops and water-saving technologies. At the same time, it cooperates with local government agencies to promote the implementation of water-saving policies. Under the premise of rational use of groundwater, the project actively explores new environment-friendly agricultural development models, helps farmers broaden their income channels, and eventually achieves the dual effects of groundwater conservation and increase in agricultural incomes.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, over 2,230 ha of farmland have been converted to growing the water-saving millet, over 756 households have participated in this project.

0

Farmland Converted

0

Households Participated

Biodiversity Conservation & Nature Education

Free Flying Wings

Overview: With over 100 wetlands that need urgent protection and 24 endangered water birds as its conservation priorities, the program plans to spend the next decade (2016-2026) on building a public conservation network that complements with the government's official system and establishing conservation pilot sites through joint actions initiated by NGOs, enterprises, and the public. It is thus hoped that the program will leverage an input from the government and the public to protect endangered water birds and their habitats in China.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, 117 key bird habitats where conservation actions were carried out, 4,000km2 of areas beyond protection have been safeguarded.

0

Areas Safeguarded

0

Key Bird

Conserving the Sanjiangyuan Region

Overview: In the next five years, the project will build a conservation network with its existing partners that will further enhance the cooperation and the community interaction. Meanwhile, the project will explore a model for the maintenance and sustainable utilization of alpine pastures. Through field visits and investigations of the no-man’s-land at Sanjiangyuan borders, the project will develop a feasible development plan that will gradually diminish the threats from too many human activities in the no-man’s-land and promote the harmonious co-existence between human and nature.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, SEE has mobilized 115+ local environmental organizations to join the conservation network, and the area under protection has accumulated to 127,000 km2. This conservation model has been adopted in the Master Plan for Integrated Conservation Experiment in Sanjiangyuan.

0

Area Accumulated

0

Organizations

Noah’s Ark

Overview: The project aims to conserve the most endangered species in Southwest China---one of the global biodiversity hotspots---including Snub-nosed Monkey, Green Peafowl, Asian elephant and Himalayan Honeybees etc.，giving special focus to Yunnan mountainous areas. The key trait of this project is its community-based conservation approach which emphasizes on the interdependence between indigenous communities and the ecosystems by promoting the adoption of alternative livelihood amongst local households.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, 70 little green peafowls were born. 600 Asian elephant habitats have been optimized, 5,927 native trees in the habitats of endangered species have been planted. A Green Book on the Conservation of Yunnan snub-nosed Monkeys was published after a three-year investigation.

0

Asian Elephant habitats

0

Tree Planted

Save the Smile of the Yangtze River

Overview: Save the Smile of the Yangtze River Project aims to increase the engagement of social organizations in saving the Yangtze finless porpoise and the effectiveness of their actions. A synergy will hence be formed among governments, higher education and research institutions, enterprises, NGOs and the public to effectively protect this critically endangered species. Ultimately its population will be restored and the vision of a sound and healthy development of the Yangtze ecosystem realized.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, the Assist Patrol System was officially promoted as a state system in the Entire Yangtze River Basin. We’ve built 39“Fishermen’s Stations” to explore ways to help fishermen find new alternative livelihoods. Three scientific releases were organized, including the return of 3,000 Chinese sturgeon and more than 100,000 native fish to the Yangtze River.

0

Chinese Sturgeon

0

Native Fish

Climate Change & Business Sustainability

Blue Defenders

Overview: The Blue Defenders were joint initiated by the SEE, the Alibaba Foundation, and the Energy Foundation. The project takes the direct sources (industrial pollution sources and mobile pollution sources) that affect the environmental quality as its main working object. Mobilize public participation to build extensive supervision, help strengthen the mandatory constraints of policies and laws, promote the embedding of environmental protection requirements into the production and operation of enterprises (green finance and green supply chain) are 4 main working methods of Blue Defenders.

Achievements: By the end of 2021, 62 front-line environmental protection organizations have been supported. The project's supported environmental database covered over 12.75 million enterprises nationwide, with a total of more than 6.05 billion data entries.

0

Enterprises

0

Data Entries

Green Supply Chain Action of the Real Estate Industry in China (GSCA)

Overview: “Green Supply Chain Action in Real Estate Industry in China” unites environmental protection experts, industry associations, enterprises, NGOs and technological institutions to develop action plans and environmental standards for green procurement, review suppliers’ environmental performances, and propose those with good environmental performances to the recommended suppliers lists (white list and green list). The real estate enterprises prompt through green procurement the upper stream suppliers to improve and upgrade their environmental performances, to achieve carbon emission and pollution reduction across the entire supply chain.

Achievements: It was launched in June 2016, and by the end of 2022, 106 real estate enterprises have signed up for the Green Supply Chain Action. By the end of 2023, the project had completed the construction of an "Environmental Compliance Whitelist Query Platform" and included over 1.3 million supplier enterprises across 19 green procurement categories in the "whitelist." The project also contributed to carbon emissions reduction of over 8 million tons in the real estate industry. US$ 5.2 billion in accumulated green procurement value were granted.

0

Ton Of Carbon Emissions Reduction

0

Green Granted

Marine Conservation

Marine Flagship Species Conservation

Overview: This project protects marine species such as sea turtles and Chinese white dolphins and their key habitats and migratory corridors, facilitating the protection of more other species and marine habitats. Through "Sea Turtle Going Home", "White Dolphin Protection and Blue Economy", the project supports partner NGOs to carry out protection work. The project also uses social platforms of SEE to catch the attention of governments, enterprises, environmental NGOs, and more communities and help them engage with marine protection work.

Achievements: By the end of 2021, more than 300 sea turtles in total were rescued and released; more than 30 million people were mobilized to concern for turtle conservation; more than 2,500 key marine ecosystems were protected and restored; 23 Chinese civil public welfare organizations for marine conservation were trained; 2 sessions of offline training were organized, with more than 60 participants involved in the training.

0

People Mobilized

0

Sea Turtles rescued

Critical Marine Ecosystem Conservation

Overview: By establishing new marine protected areas and improving the management effectiveness of existing protected areas, the project conserves coastal zones and island and reef ecosystems, enhancing the resilience of coastal residents and small island residents against climate change. Through international cooperation, the project protects the high seas and oceanic ecosystems, contributing to the goal of "protecting more than 30% of the world's oceans by 2030".

Achievements: In 2021, we protected and restore more than 2,500 of critical Marine ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds. Together with 32 domestic and foreign institutions, the Blue Carbon Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Initiative was issued, calling for strengthening scientific research, conservation, and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems.

0

Marine Ecosystems

0

Domestic and Foreign Insitutions

Sustainable Fisheries

Overview: By establishing new marine protected areas and improving the management effectiveness of existing protected areas, the project conserves coastal zones and island and reef ecosystems, enhancing the resilience of coastal residents and small island residents against climate change. Through international cooperation, the project protects the high seas and oceanic ecosystems, contributing to the goal of "protecting more than 30% of the world's oceans by 2030".

Achievements: In 2021, we cooperated with NGO partners and tanmen fishermen community to create the first community-based pilot project for recycling abandoned fishing gear in China, providing a demonstration for recycling abandoned fishing gear in the country. Pilot fishing gear optimization projects to demonstrate how to reduce the accidental capture of sea turtles and other Marine species during trawling and fixed-net fishing operations.

Nurturing Environmental NGOs

Green Starters

Overview: The project is focused on identifying and supporting start-up environmental protection teams that have desire to grow into environmental NGOs, especially those teams that have a strong mission and commitment to environmental issues. Each green starter can receive non-earmarked financial support of RMB 10,000-200,000. A club of green starters is set up under the project. By joining the club, green starters can receive professional advisory, resource recommendation, networking, exchanges with other environmental NGOs and training. In addition to SEE member entrepreneurs, experts from partner organizations of SEE are engaged to provide advice.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, we have Supported 511 startup or early-stage environmental NGOs and gained total funding that exceeds 43 million RMB. Most of the active environmental NGOs in China grow up from Greens Starters.

0

Supported NGOs

0

Total Funding

Growing Up Together

Overview: The project provides mentoring to critical talents in environmental NGOs at growth stage, assists them with coping with bottlenecks they have encountered, helps them make breakthroughs in core business, team professionalism and resource development, supports them to become core leaders in their respective regions and thematic issues, and makes them respond to environmental issues more effectively.

Achievements: By the end of 2022, we have supported 96 environmental NGOs and 217 mentors, and gained a total funding that exceeds 45 million RMB.

0

Mentors

0