Editor’s note
Paulson Institute has established “Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities” since 2013, aiming to promote sustainable urbanization and low-carbon economic transformation in China and achieve the goals in climate change, air quality and economic growth, etc. The award review committee consists of seven well-known experts from China and the United States in the fields of economy, finance, energy, and ecology, etc. As a member of the independent judge panel of “Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities” expert group, Niu Gensheng, founder and Honorary President of our Foundation, entrusted Secretary-General An Yaqiang to participate in the 5th award ceremony.
The 5th Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities, co-organized by Tsinghua University and Paulson Institute, had an award ceremony held in Beijing. The Bio-based Lubricants & Biomass Industry Chain Development of Danfer Zhonglv Technology Co., Ltd. won the big prize. Chen Xu, Director of School Administration Committee of Tsinghua University, and Henry Paulson, Chairman of Paulson Institute, jointly awarded the trophy to Yin Xuequn, Mayor of Jinhua City, location of the project.
Chen Xu, Director of School Administration Committee of Tsinghua University
As a world-renowned comprehensive research university, Tsinghua University has long been committed to promoting sustainable development of China and the world. We hope that through the appraisal and selection, we can encourage universities and research institutes to commit themselves to theoretical exploration and technological innovation of sustainable development on one hand; and encourage local cities and enterprises to have close cooperation with universities and research institutions to vigorously promote the practice of sustainable development theory and technology in cities, setting an example for global sustainable urbanization on the other hand.
Henry Paulson, Chairman of Paulson Institute
This awarded project interprets the core focus of Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities – to improve air quality through developing innovative solutions to make the earth a better place to live. We hope that more people will concern these positive cases through appraisal of awards so as to help Chinese decision makers to achieve bigger success.
The award-winning project uses castor oil, catering waste oil, straw and other biomass resources as raw materials; and its price and quality are both superior to traditional petroleum-based lubricants. It can not only biodegrade, but also reduce vehicle fuel consumption, reduce exhaust gas emissions, and improve air quality. Castor is drought-tolerant and salt-alkali tolerant, suitable for crop rotation and reclaiming wasteland; also, it does not compete with crops or economic crops, and is good for improving soil fertility and absorbing heavy metals in the soil. After hard work, the project holder has successfully opened up the entire industry chain of castor elite breeding, oil and fertilizer co-production, fine chemicals, bio-based lubricants, and bio-based aviation kerosene, etc.
The independent judge panel of Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities believes that this project can replace traditional petroleum-based lubricants, effectively increase the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles, reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides from motor vehicle exhaust, and have great potential to improve air quality and combat climate change.
To promote sustainable urbanization and low-carbon economic transformation in China and achieve the goals in climate change, air quality and economic growth, etc., Paulson Institute has established “Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities” since 2013, selecting and commending the most representative and best practice project in the field of sustainable urbanization development each year. The award review committee consists of seven well-known experts from China and the United States in the fields of economy, finance, energy, and ecology, etc., including Richard Daley, former Mayor of Chicago and Chairman of Award Review Committee; Lynn Scarlett, former Deputy Minister of the United States Department of the Interior, and Global Managing Director, Public Policy at The Nature Conservancy (TNC); Robert Orr, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning, and Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy; Huang Nubo, President of Beijing Zhongkun Investment Group Co., Ltd.; Niu Gensheng, founder and Honorary President of Lao Niu Foundation, and founder of Mengniu; Zhao Jiarong, President of China Association of Circular Economy; and Zhuang Weimin, Dean of School of Architecture, Tsinghua University.
Click for the video of the project winning the 5th Paulson Prize for Sustainable Cities
