FedEx has announced the official launch of the “Innovation for the Future: National College Student Environmental Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition” in China. The competition is organized in partnership with the China Environmental Protection Foundation and aims to encourage innovation among university students in the field of ecological and environmental protection.
The competition aligns with China’s national strategy to promote innovation-driven development and supports FedEx’s global goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. The event seeks to inspire students to develop practical and sustainable environmental business models and integrate entrepreneurship and sustainability into talent development for young people in China. Registration is now open to university students across the country.
The main theme of this year’s competition is “Green Express Packaging Supply Chain Innovation,” with four sub-categories: ecological protection, climate and energy, pollution prevention, and comprehensive topics. The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, including those who have graduated within the past year. Projects will be evaluated based on environmental value, innovation, business sustainability, team capability, and social impact. Outstanding projects will receive financial awards and incubation support.
FedEx China President Baiyan Xu stated: “FedEx has always integrated sustainable development into its corporate strategy and is committed to achieving carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. This competition is not only a demonstration of our corporate social responsibility but also a strategic investment in China’s future youth talent. The competition will guide university forces to participate in green innovation and provide a platform for Chinese university students to stimulate green innovation and practice environmental protection concepts. Relying on our experience in green logistics, we will provide mentorship and resource support to participating teams to help turn creative ideas into truly scalable environmental solutions and promote green transformation in the industry and society.”
Xie Yuhong, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the China Environmental Protection Foundation, said: “This competition adheres to the principles of public welfare, practical orientation, and empowerment for growth. There are no entry fees; evaluation focuses on project sustainability, feasibility, and teamwork. We provide comprehensive support for outstanding projects including publicity, expert connections, policy incubation, and investment matchmaking. We especially thank FedEx for its strong support—its employee volunteers will also provide professional guidance to participating students, demonstrating responsibility in sustainable development. We call on more enterprises, universities, and research institutions to join us in building an ecosystem of environmental innovation driven by government guidance, corporate support, university efforts, and youth participation to inject momentum into green development and carbon neutrality goals.”
The launch event was held in Beijing. During the ceremony, a representative from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s Education Center delivered a keynote speech on ecological education policy and practice. Interactive sessions allowed students to present innovative solutions to campus and daily life environmental challenges with feedback from expert mentors. Finalist teams will receive dedicated mentorship with tailored courses aimed at strengthening project innovation and commercialization potential. A roundtable discussion gathered representatives from government, academia, businesses, and student groups to discuss trends in university student environmental entrepreneurship.
FedEx continues to advocate for smart supply chain practices and sustainable development in its operations and community engagement in China. The company has undertaken initiatives such as electrifying its vehicle fleet and investing in sustainable infrastructure. In June this year, FedEx also partnered with the China Environmental Protection Foundation on the “Protect One Kilometer of River” project focused on river ecosystem conservation.
Registration for the competition is now open until November 30, 2025.
The China Environmental Protection Foundation is a non-profit national organization registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs and supervised by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Its mission is to promote sustainable development strategies and protect public environmental rights.
FedEx is one of the world’s largest express transportation companies providing fast and reliable services across more than 220 countries and regions with a global air and ground network.
