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At the COP 29, or the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Nov 18, 2024, 62-year-old Chinese farmer Huang Tianming shared the inspiring story of his village's efforts to protect ancient torreya trees.

Representing Zhan'ao village in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, Huang presented a sustainable model of coexistence between humans and nature.

Torreya trees, native to Zhejiang, require decades to bear fruit, embodying the proverb, "Grandfathers plant trees and grandsons harvest nuts."

Shaoxing's Kuaiji Mountain range is home to over 78,000 torreya trees that are more than a century old, including a remarkable 1,570-year-old tree. This rich cultural and ecological legacy has been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization as a "Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System."

Huang Tianming and the 1,570-year-old torreya tree. [Photo/Tide News]

Huang reflected on his personal journey, initially doubting the value of torreya cultivation in his youth. A transformative moment came during a snowstorm, when villagers united to protect the trees and later reaped an abundant harvest.

Inspired by the tangible benefits of caring for the trees, Huang returned to his village and embraced their preservation. Over time, Zhan'ao village transitioned from selling raw torreya nuts to producing value-added products like torreya chocolate and liquor. By 2023, the local torreya industry had exceeded 300 million yuan ($40.92 million) in total output.

Zhejiang province leads China in ancient tree preservation, with 275,000 ancient trees, including 83,000 torreya trees. The province has pioneered protective legislation and digital monitoring systems to ensure sustainable management and conservation.

Huang's presentation earned recognition from the United Nations Development Programme, which praised his story as a compelling example of China's ecological civilization and its global significance.