COST-EFFECTIVE SUSTAINABLE RE-VEGETATION OF DESERTS FOR ESG IN NW CHINA

Aim: The aim of this paper is to experiment on how to afforest/re-vegetate desert land which occupies 27% of land area in China and to bring Environmental-Social-Governance (ESG) value to the livelihood of local tribesmen.Methodology: Cost effective way to achieve the goal has been established. Keys to success are propagated freely with an intention to attract more establishments to take similar actions so as to extend such impact on anti-desertification.Findings: They summarized their decade’s work since they start in 2011 up to 2022 which encompass all the plantation work and total cost. This gives a true picture and accurate cost for management control. Lessons are learnt from key parameters such as causes for replanting and delayed payment. In short, about 90 sq km of moving sand dunes has been afforested by indigenous plants with over 70% survival rate which is a widely accepted standard of reforestation. The indicative reforestation cost according to government is RMB1000-1100/mu (= 666 sq.m). By adopting the cost effective means we attained reforestation at less than RMB300/mu (@30%).Originality: Since afforestation is a charity which leads to benefit of the society, we freely exchange ideas to support and to learn from fellow planters. Nonetheless there are innovative ideas and management control in order to attain the reforestation result at low cost with good impact.Value: We are motivated by the instruction and the life purpose of mankind to "cultivate and take care of the land" as recorded in the bible Genesis 2:15. This cost-effective ESG experiment has set a role-model for the future of reforestation in China and the rest of the World’s desert zones. As an interesting and fruitful by-product of this research, the Main Author has been invited to present his research findings at the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan during 2024/11/11-22. The above valuable experience was shared to countries which have similar geographic desert terrain, in particular for those countries in the Middle-east and Africa.