Qu has made outstanding contributions to environmental protection in China. 1In June, 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Qu won the "United Nations Environment Award" and a prize of $654.38 million. After winning the prize, he suggested setting up the China Environmental Protection Foundation on the basis of the bonus to promote the development of environmental protection in China. His suggestion has been widely praised and supported by all walks of life. With the support of relevant leaders and departments of the Party and the state, China Environmental Protection Foundation was established in April, 1993. This is the first foundation specialized in environmental protection in China, and it is a non-profit organization with independent legal personality.

Qu became the first donor and served as chairman. Under his leadership, the China Environmental Protection Foundation raised funds extensively on the principle of "taking from the people, using them for the people and benefiting mankind" to reward units and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and to fund activities and projects related to environmental protection.

After the establishment of China Environmental Protection Foundation, under the leadership of Qu, a series of activities were carried out:

1993, 120 advanced workers who have made remarkable achievements in environmental protection were commended and rewarded.

1994 organized a youth environmental forum and awarded it to 100 outstanding environmental entrepreneurs.

1995, organized and held the first (fifth) Pacific Environment Conference in China.

From 1995 to 1996, a nationwide survey on citizens' environmental awareness was conducted.

1996 to 1997, and organize the environmental and ecological investigation in the source area of the Yangtze River.

During the period of 1998, an international seminar on environmental and ecological protection at the source of the Yangtze River, a national seminar on prevention and control of automobile exhaust pollution and a report meeting on new technologies for foreign garbage disposal were organized, and a proposal was jointly issued with the All-China Women's Federation and other units to encourage everyone to participate in the "environmental protection action of reducing cards and saving trees".

1999 ~ 2000, we held a series of publicity activities on "Eliminating White Pollution and Advocating Green Consumption", organized a symposium of environmental NGOs in China, Ms. Freilang, Norwegian Minister of Environment, and Ms. Carol Branna, Director of the US National Environmental Protection Agency, and held international conferences such as "Sino-US Seminar on Water Treatment Technology" and "Enterprise and China Environment".

From 200/KLOC-0 to 2002, the first China Environmental Award was selected and recommended by the world's top 500 companies, and environmental public welfare activities such as "Green Printing Project" and "Green Messenger" were organized, which achieved good social benefits.