CCNI held the International Scientific Committee meeting in Beijing

On October 18, the International Scientific Committee (ISC) meeting of the China Carbon Neutrality Initiative (CCNI) was held in Beijing. The event brought together the esteemed members of CCNI ISC along with more than 20 dedicated project team members.

Prof. Zhang Xiliang, CCNI Project Leader, kicked off the meeting with an inspiring speech. He outlined the CCNI project, highlighting its significance in supporting China’s transition towards a low-carbon energy economy in pursuit of its carbon neutrality goals. The CCNI project was launched by Tsinghua University in 2023, encompassing three key components: (1) decarbonizing China’s power and heating sectors, (2) provincial carbon neutrality planning and capacity building, and (3) international cooperation on climate change. The Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy of Tsinghua University, also known as the 3E Institute, was the lead organization for the implementation of the CCNI project.

The ISC meeting featured presentations by sub-project team leaders Dr. Zhou Sheng, Dr. Guo Siyue, and Dr. Weng Yuyan. They elaborated on the research background, the content, and the preliminary findings for each of the three components. ISC members underscored the importance of the CCNI project, and offered invaluable insights and constructive feedback. Particular focus was given to the modeling under the second and third components, as well as and the economics of retrofitting coal units with SMRs under the first component. ISC members also shared the latest progress in relevant studies internationally.

The CCNI ISC is a body offering strategic and academic advice to the CCNI project. This esteemed panel is composed of top-notch experts from the world’s leading academic institutions in the field of climate change. Among its members are Mr. Henry D. Jacoby, a Professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Mr. Denise Mauzerall, a Professor at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, etc..

The CCNI project team comprises a talented group of faculty and specialists from Tsinghua University, China Huaneng Group, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group, Jiangsu University, Zhejiang University, Xinjiang University, and Henan University, all committed to advancing the CCNI’s mission.