Beijing, 4 June 2015 - A poster exhibition encouraging passengers to consume with care opened on Thursday at Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA), one of the most advanced airport buildings in terms of environmental sustainability. The posters feature ten of the most prominent personalities of Chinese art world, including United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador, Li Bingbing.
The exhibition was jointly organized by UNEP and BCIA on the occasion of the 2015 World Environment Day (WED) celebrated with the slogan "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care," which encourages people to rethink their lifestyles and, through conscious consumer decisions, decrease humanity's collective impact on nature's resources.
The Beijing airport made available 400 TV screens at various boarding gates, 80 billboards and 64 LED screens, which will be dedicated to UNEP's messages over the next five months.
The artwork, designed on a pro-bono basis by a Chinese artist, Benjamin Bliss, will encourage the passengers passing through Beijing Airport to adopt more sustainable lifestyles, in conformity with this year's WED theme.
Ten of the most recognizable Chinese celebrities are featured, including UNEP Goodwill Ambassador and top model - Li Bingbing, UNEP Climate Hero and famed photographer - Luo Hong, UNEP Patron of Arts and Environment and artist - Yuan Xikun, as well as renowned actors: Li Chen, Tong Dawei, Chen Shu, Bai Yu, Tao Hui, Zhu Yawen and acclaimed director Li Jun.
The exhibition is the first project realized under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BCIA and UNEP, signed on Thursday by Ibrahim Thiaw, UNEP's Deputy Executive Director and Shi Boli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BCIA. Both sides have agreed to continue displaying exhibitions and public education messages on topics ranging from sustainable consumption and production, to illegal wildlife trade, to climate change and green economy. UNEP has also pledged to support BCIA's efforts to make its operations even more environment-friendly by conducting green airport assessment, increasing energy efficiency and minimizing waste.
The Beijing International Airport boasts an impressive record of reducing its environmental impact, including installation of efficient LED lighting, adoption of energy-efficient transit cars and reducing carbon emissions. With UNEP's support, BCIA wishes to draft a strategy for a further greening of its operations, particularly in the areas of green procurement, energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction.
BCIA's efforts in this field can serve as an example of resource efficiency for the rest of the transport sector, which is one of the fastest growing consumers of energy worldwide.
Thursday's MoU is not the first instance of cooperation between UNEP and BCIA. In 2013 and 2014 BCIA hosted the "Wild and Precious" photography exhibition, in support of UNEP's outreach efforts aimed at curbing demand for illegal wildlife products.
About WED 2015
World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations' campaign for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years it has grown to be a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries. It also serves as the people's day for doing something positive for the environment, inspiring individual actions and galvanizing them into a collective power that generates an exponential positive impact on the planet. WED celebrations culminate on 5th June every year. This year's theme, 'Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care', encourages people to rethink their lifestyles and, through conscious consumer decisions, decrease humanity's collective impact on nature's resources. The global host of WED this year is Italy and the main celebrations will take place in Milan, at the Expo Milano 2015. More planned activities are available on the WED website - unep.org/wed.
