While the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) kicked off in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, the audience could learn first-hand the impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought. The UNCCD is the global voice for land and one of the three major UN treaties known as the Rio Conventions, alongside climate and biodiversity.
LONGi was invited to attend the side event hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) titled "Nature Positive Renewables as a Driver of Restoration" and the side event organized by Tsinghua University at the COP16 China Pavilion. Haimeng Zhang, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of LONGi, delivered a speech via video at the side event, sharing LONGi's practices and significant achievements in desertification control with the global community.
Desertification control and the rehabilitation of mining areas have become highlights in land governance work
LONGi has always regarded sustainable development as a core strategy and actively promotes the application of green energy and desertification control. Haimeng Zhang detailed LONGi's achievements in the application of green technology and the prevention of desertification. He pointed out: "The impact of desertification is profound, with an estimated 45% of the global land surface affected by desertification, impacting 3.2 billion people, or one-third of the world's population. However, using just 1% of the global desert area for photovoltaic (PV) power generation could meet the electricity needs of all humanity; if 70% of the Earth's desert areas were transformed into oases, they could absorb all the carbon emissions produced by human activities."
Photovoltaic installations are a key measure in desertification control
As one of the effective means of desertification control, photovoltaic desertification control stands out in ecological improvement and windbreak and sand fixation. In the Kubuqi Desert, LONGi implemented the construction of two photovoltaic power stations of 336kW and 338kW, actively exploring green ecological development models such as "generating electricity on the panels, planting under the panels, and breeding between the panels," and has already solved many local desertification control challenges.
Haimeng Zhang added: "In desert areas, photovoltaic modules absorb sunlight, provide shade and reduce water evaporation during the day, and promote condensation at night. In addition, the water used to clean the solar panels can also effectively promote the survival and growth of vegetation."
Combining photovoltaic systems with vegetation not only improves the stability of the solar power generation system, but also significantly improves the microclimate of the area, effectively mitigating natural disasters such as hot winds, dry winds, and sandstorms.
In the Bayannur region of Inner Mongolia, China, LONGi has combined solar power generation with mine restoration, providing an efficient utilization solution for idle land in abandoned mining areas. "We have cleared and leveled the land of the abandoned mining areas and constructed ground-mounted utility grid-connected photovoltaic power stations. These projects not only provide green electricity, achieve the collection and utilization of rainwater, and protect the environment, but also achieve a win-win situation in both economic and ecological benefits," Zhang stated.
Photovoltaic enables decentralized energy supply in remote, off-grid areas
In the Sahara region of Egypt, LONGi has also helped villagers extract fresh water for daily life by constructing small solar power plants.
In Linga Linga village, Mozambique, LONGi donated a solar freshwater system using Hi-MO X6 products to a maternity and obstetrics clinic. These projects not only alleviate the local drought situation but also improve the living conditions of the residents.
Haimeng Zhang added, "LONGi’s concept of 'Solar for All' is applicable to various possible scenarios, making photovoltaic energy an affordable clean energy solution for everyone. From desert management to mine site restoration, from water supply in difficult areas to energy supply in future urban planning, the aim is to promote energy justice, green, and low-carbon transitions across various industries."
Haimeng Zhang called on global partners, policymakers, and the public to pay more attention to the importance of desertification prevention and control, and to draw experience from excellent environmental protection practices to accelerate the realization of a greener Earth.