"Responsibility is more important than growth", runs one of the company mottos of China’s BROAD Group.

BROAD is a world leader in the manufacture of central air-conditioning systems that use diesel or natural gas instead of electricity to cool office buildings, shopping malls and factories. BROAD states that its non-electric air conditioning units are 200% more energy efficient and that CO2 emissions are 4 times lower than traditional models.

BROAD, which is based in Changsha, Hunan Province, was established by Zhang Yue with a mere US$3,000 in 1988. Today, the company’s air conditioners are the market leader in China and BROAD exports its products to some 60 countries around the world.

As well as regularly featuring in lists of China’s wealthiest people, founder Zhang Yue has become one of the most outspoken voices on the environment in China, advocating, among other things, for tighter government regulations on insulation and building standards and for the decentralization of power plants. 

BROAD prides itself on its green credentials and lists protecting the environment, energy conservation and reducing greenhouse gases among its key company goals.

Indeed, BROAD states that the cumulative effect of all its products sold to date has led to emissions savings of around 90 million tons of CO2, 1 million tons of sulphur dioxide and 10,000 tons of CFCs. 

BROAD has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact since 2001, and in 2008, it joined the Climate Group - an independent, not-for-profit organization working internationally with government and business leaders to advance smart policies and technologies to cut global emissions and accelerate a clean industrial revolution.

"When I set up my business, I challenged myself to create wealth. Now, I have completely shifted the focus of this business towards the direction of reducing emissions. I’ve taken on the challenge of climate change", said Zhang Yue.

"With this award, people will start to notice our work and we will be able to influence them to pay more attention to energy efficiency, whether as an individual or as a business."