Agilent is assisting China's efforts to improve and protect its environment as part of this year's “Green Olympics” in Beijing by supporting several environmental programmes taking place in the region.

The “Green Olympics” initiative aims to support the health and livelihoods of millions of people as well as maintain China's natural beauty. The Agilent Foundation has funded a Fellow from The Nature Conservancy China (TNCC) to study the Songshan National Nature Reserve, which will serve as a showcase for the “Green Olympics” and provide a model for maintaining and managing protected areas around the country. The Fellow will study the park to identify best practices for developing national-level park rules and regulations, such as highway development, support for local village people, forest maintenance and effective implementation of an eco-friendly tourist area.

Through a 3-year partnership project with the Beijing Youth Science and Technology Cultural Exchange Service Center, and later with the TNCC and the Environmental Protection Agency, Agilent is also helping to develop and distribute environmental education brochures that communicate good “green” practices to the residents of the area.

In addition, Agilent is continuing to assist in the expansion of the Clean Air Challenge (CAC), a non-governmental organization set up to provide a curriculum for teachers and students that raises awareness of air pollution by focusing on topics such as smog, alternative fuel options and ground-level ozone. Agilent has supported the programme since 2005, helping to educate and train over 350 teachers in environmental awareness through science education.

For more information, visit www.agilent.com.