In Shanghai, on 26th April 2025, a distinguished Chinese advocate of sustainability stood up in a room with a history, in front of part of China’s intellectual crème de la crème and attendants from the British Embassy (Chevening) and other organizations. She introduced me: “I called him 叔叔(Shūshu , meaning “Uncle”), according to Chinese tradition!”

The next day, the Front Desk Assistant Manager of our hotel, very helpful to us during our stay, insisted upon taking a photo. She appealed to my colleague, “This man is just like my father!” I have many honorary nephews and nieces around the world. Some of them have become like kin to me, but never did I expect to extend this list with two Chinese nieces in one week! Family and elders appeared to be more important in China than I had known. These were part of pleasant surprises for our team, representing Jula Consultancy FZE and Heeno International.

We were given unrestricted attention – time, assistants, transportation, introduction to friends & colleagues, and put at the forefront of all events! I delivered two addresses, and my colleague made five presentations.

Our book, “Demystifying ESG”, was launched twice, the first in China’s tallest building, the third tallest in the world – the Shanghai Tower. With the earlier launching in Bhurj Khalifa during COP28, the Chinese have made it possible for this modest piece of work to be launched in 2 of the world’s tallest buildings.
We were invited to China for the “Shanghai Climate Week – April 21-28”; rich, diverse and up-to-date activities. Experts of sustainability, categorized under ESG (emphasizing the environment, education and youth) came from different organizations & countries, such the Chinese Ministry of Ecology, Shanghai Green Light-Year Environmental Service Center, United Nations (UNESCO & UNICEF), the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), the Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) Foundation, University of Cambridge and Imperial College (London) Alumni Associations, local & foreign universities, etc. We met students; served as a judge in a competition; met manufacturers’ association in China’s wealthiest municipality; visited a building in Shanghai occupied by local & international ESG service providers and accounting firms; and were taken on visits to places of cultural & historical interests.

Our last day was spent on a memorable tour (my colleague represented me), which ended at midnight. Whilst waiting for our flight at Shanghai airport, an advert kept on flashing in front of us, with: “ESG!…”, “Shanghai the Future of Cities!”, pictures of kids in tech classes, gardens, forests, houses with green lawns, spacecrafts & other ultra-modern machines demonstrating China’s well-known technological advances.

WE WISH CHINA & THE WORLD GENUINE SUCCESS IN DEALING WITH GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. IT IS AS REAL AS THE CHOPSTICKS WITH WHICH I ATE MY STEAMED FISH IN SHANGHAI!