At present, climate change has become a prominent challenge for the international community and would have profound implications for the future development of humankind. China has long attached great importance to both mitigation and adaptation measures as part of national response strategies. President Xi Jinping stressed on many occasions that, tackling climate change is what we opt to do rather than being asked by others, furthermore, it is essential to China’s sustainable development, and our due responsibility for promoting the building of a global community of shared future as well.
President Xi Jinping made an important statement at the general debate of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September 2020, announcing that “China will scale up its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions by adopting more vigorous policies and measures. We aim to have CO2 emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060”.
Thus, it remains a great mission for our energy researchers and scientists to help achieve China’s objective for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and move toward the goal of limiting global temperature rise to the expected levels as set out in the Paris Agreement, by pushing for a quick low-carbon transition of energy mix and structural transformation of socio-economic growth model.
Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, (short for 3E), since its founding, has undertaken, in response to emerging national development needs. With trailblazing efforts and cutting-edge innovations over past four decades, 3E practitioners have opened a new chapter in the field of China’s energy system analysis and climate change study, breaking new ground in bridging academic researches and practical applications, and for pathway forward will continue to carry on the storied legacy and seek to achieve even greater success by turning emerging challenges into potential opportunities through thick and thin, and strengthening the capacity by dint of wisdom, perseverance and good faith. In sum, selfless devotion and hard work of several generations of 3E people have brought us closer to our dreams.
Looking back to its run-up to today’s stature, our special appreciation goes to those primary movers who initiated this program for their longstanding dedications and commitments to making 3E a top-class institution, which are shining out as a good source of encouragement and inspiration to empower us to advance in team spirit and keep pace with the times toward an even brighter future.
