| | Green Legacy Program Commits to Long-Term |
| Nature Protection Efforts |
BEIJING, April 8, 2008 – Leading automaker Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd. (MBCL) breaks new ground for its CSR initiative today by pledging RMB 5.5 million towards nature preservation. This follows the successful launch of the three-year long Green Legacy Program which aims to protect the prized World Natural Heritage Sites in China. MBCL is also the first automaker to partner UNESCO in the conservation and management of natural heritage sites in China.
This year's initiative to extend the scale of the program seeks to deepen and broaden conservation work on-ground, demonstrating the importance the Green Legacy Program places on the preservation of natural resources and endangered landscapes. Of the RMB5.5 million entrusted to UNESCO, RMB 1.5 million will continue to enhance the protection to Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in Ya'an and for the continued management of this project by UNESCO; while the remaining RMB 4 million will be donated to the magnificent South China Karst – the second site to receive support from the Green Legacy Program – and for UNESCO's project coordination and monitoring. The South China Karst, comprising three internationally acclaimed karst areas in Guizhou Libo, Yunnan Shilin and Chongqing Wulong, is the latest World Natural Heritage Site in China to be inscribed on the listing and boasts one of the greatest and most unique landscape forms in the world.
Mr. Klaus Maier, President and CEO of MBCL, said: "Mercedes-Benz is focused on maintaining a harmonious balance between technological development and nature preservation. We are proud to see that we have achieved remarkable results from the partnership with UNESCO last year. In our drive for stronger support towards nature protection this year, Mercedes-Benz will deepen this cooperation to organize more awareness programs on nature protection and share the concept of harmonious development among all our employees, dealers and customers."
UNESCO representatives also praised the contributions made by Mercedes-Benz towards the protection of World Natural Heritage Sites. As the environment comes under intense threat, the expansion of the Green Legacy Program demonstrates Mercedes-Benz's long-term and sustained commitment towards nature and environmental protection and its role as a responsible corporate citizen. The Green Legacy Program is also a case example for other natural heritage protection work to model after.
In addition to donations to the Sichuan Ya'an Giant Panda Sanctuaries and the South China Karst, Mercedes-Benz will continue to cooperate closely with UNESCO this year in organizing a series of activities to raise public awareness about nature and environment protection. As an automotive industry leader, Mercedes-Benz calls upon itself to fulfill the corporate social responsibility to safeguard nature, our homeland. |
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