Summer Schools & Courses

On July 25, 2024, the First Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Summer School and the 6th China Emission Accounts and Datasets (CEADs) Summer Camp, hereinafter referred to as the Summer Camp, opened in Harbin, a city known as the Oriental Paris. Harbin welcomed more than 160 young students from leading universities in China and abroad, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Sciences Po, the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Zhejiang University. Outstanding students from junior and senior high schools at home and abroad also joined the program. Over the following ten days, they would spend a rewarding time together in the charming Ice City of Harbin.

The Summer Camp was hosted by the Heilongjiang Overseas Friendship Association, the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21 of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, and Harbin Engineering University. It was co-organized by the Harbin Overseas Friendship Association, the Heilongjiang Green and Low-Carbon Overseas Returnee Entrepreneurship Consortium, Zhejiang University of Technology, University College London, the University of Birmingham, the Institute for Carbon Neutrality of Tsinghua University, the Department of Earth System Science of Tsinghua University, and the High School Affiliated to Harbin Normal University. Centered on the theme of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality theory, together with carbon accounting theory and practice, the Summer Camp invited academicians and experts to design a training curriculum and provide guidance on related theory and practical methods, with the aim of cultivating interdisciplinary talent with strong expertise and practical capabilities for China's 3060 carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

Opening Ceremony

In the morning, the First Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Summer School and the 2024 China Emission Accounts and Datasets Summer Camp opened successfully at the AOLUGUYA Hotel in Harbin. The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Dabo Guan, Vice Dean of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality at Tsinghua University, Chair Professor of Fundamental Science, and Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in the United Kingdom. He noted that the Summer Camp was held at the special moment of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, and introduced the distinctive features of this year's participant groups. He then introduced the guests attending the opening ceremony one by one, expressed sincere thanks to the supporting organizations, academicians, and experts, and warmly welcomed all participants.

Professor Dabo Guan chaired the opening ceremony.

Xu Jianguo, President of the Heilongjiang Overseas Friendship Association, extended a warm welcome to experts, scholars, and young participants from China and abroad. He said that Heilongjiang has thoroughly implemented Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, issued policy opinions on accelerating the development of a green Heilongjiang, and is working to build a demonstration area where lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and ice and snow are also invaluable assets. He emphasized joint efforts in protecting green resources, cultivating green productive forces, and advocating green lifestyles. He also noted that the China Emission Accounts and Datasets Summer Camp plays an active role in advancing high-quality green development, supporting the realization of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, strengthening green science and technology cooperation, and jointly addressing climate change. He encouraged participants to make full use of their advantages in connecting China and the world and in broad networks, and to tell the story of ecological civilization and green Heilongjiang well.

Minister Xu Jianguo delivered remarks.

Chen Ming, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Basic Research of the Ministry of Science and Technology, introduced the ministry's work toward achieving carbon neutrality. He noted that the ministry will coordinate the layout of the dual-carbon science and technology system and promote strategic, systematic, and forward-looking science and technology projects in the dual-carbon field, providing strong scientific and technological support for the early realization of the dual-carbon goals. He also extended his best wishes for the successful opening of the Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Seminar Series and the First Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Summer School.

Director Chen Ming delivered remarks.

Professor He Kebin, Dean of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivered an academician's message. On behalf of the Institute for Carbon Neutrality of Tsinghua University, he warmly welcomed all guests and participants. He highlighted the significance of the multi-scale carbon accounting inventories and socio-economic and trade databases compiled by the CEADs team led by Professor Dabo Guan, noting that they effectively fill data gaps for many emerging economies.

Academician He Kebin delivered remarks.

Ke Bing, Deputy Director of the Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, said that in the field of carbon neutrality, the center actively participates in policy research, project management, and international cooperation, and promotes scientific support for major national decision-making. Against the backdrop of the global response to the climate crisis, it is especially important to train professionals in carbon neutrality with international vision, innovative spirit, and practical capabilities. Therefore, the Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Summer School is of far-reaching significance. He wished the program complete success.

Director Ke Bing delivered remarks.

Zeng Rong, Vice President of Tsinghua University, shared a message with the participants. He noted that the original purpose of launching the carbon accounting summer school and camp was to turn the scientific research strengths of Tsinghua University, as well as other universities and research institutes, into advantages in talent training, and to cultivate more innovative dual-carbon talent for the country. The initiative has received an enthusiastic response from all sectors of society. He encouraged young people who aspire to work in the dual-carbon field to use the platform to contribute their wisdom and strength to addressing climate change.

Vice President Zeng Rong delivered remarks.

Professor Zhao Yuxin, Vice President of Harbin Engineering University, said that the university actively responds to the Chinese government's implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Focusing on shipbuilding and ocean engineering, an important field for achieving the carbon neutrality strategy, and on the development of green ships, the university has taken solid action to support the national dual-carbon strategy. He expressed hope that the program would provide experts, scholars, and practitioners in carbon neutrality technologies with an important platform for in-depth learning, exchange, and broadened perspectives, and would strengthen future cooperation.

Professor Zhao Yuxin delivered remarks.

Gao Xiang, President of Zhejiang University of Technology and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said that carbon emissions statistical accounting is the foundation for effective emissions reduction work, and an important prerequisite for formulating low-carbon transition policies and strengthening international cooperation. The Summer School provides a valuable platform for young Chinese and French scholars to communicate, exchange academically, and present outcomes. He hoped that it would contribute more wisdom and strength to jointly advancing the construction of carbon accounting systems and pathways for green and low-carbon transition.

Academician Gao Xiang delivered remarks.

Tim Broyd, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Director of the Institute for Digital Innovation in the Built Environment at University College London, delivered an academician's message. Drawing on his own career, he introduced University College London and the Bartlett Faculty, and said that the Sino-French Carbon Neutrality Summer School and the 2024 China Emission Accounts and Datasets Summer Camp are of great significance.

Academician Tim Broyd delivered remarks.

Yan Jinyue, Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences, said that interdisciplinary research plays an important role in the field of carbon neutrality. He encouraged participants to use the Summer Camp as a platform for exchange and to spark new ideas.

Academician Yan Jinyue delivered remarks.

Outstanding participants from previous camps, Yang Chunran, a master's student at the University of Pennsylvania, and Shui Bin, a doctoral student at City University of Hong Kong, looked back on their unforgettable experience at last year's CEADs Summer Camp. They warmly shared their experiences and sincerely congratulated this year's participants. They said that the ten days of the Summer Camp would become a valuable experience in the participants' lives. During the program, students would have the opportunity to meet academic role models they had long admired and to learn and grow with new friends who share similar aspirations. In addition to intensive academic training, they would also generate new ideas and creativity through exchange and interaction.

Keynote Reports and Master Lectures

Professor Zhang Li delivered a report.

Professor Zhang Li, Executive Director of China Power Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd. and the China Power Carbon Neutrality Development Research Institute, delivered a talk titled Developing Green Hydrogen-Based Fuels and Building New Quality Productive Forces. He discussed the topic from three perspectives: strategic significance, industrial practice, and development recommendations. He emphasized the hope that the Sino-French platform could promote industrial cooperation and all-round international industrial and scientific collaboration based on green hydrogen-based fuels, so that partners around the world could work together toward the dual-carbon goals.

Gao Xiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President of Zhejiang University of Technology, Dean of the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at Zhejiang University, and Director of Baima Lake Laboratory, delivered the first master lecture for participants. From the perspective of strengthening scientific and technological cooperation and innovation, and promoting emissions reduction to empower new quality productive forces, he shared research on key technologies and engineering applications in the fields of energy and the environment. Drawing on Baima Lake Laboratory and years of research achievements, Academician Gao and his team focus on the conversion and transfer of energy quality in green energy. Their work covers solar energy conversion and catalysis, zero-carbon energy conversion and storage, low-carbon energy conversion, and multi-energy coupling. They are committed to solving major scientific problems in the energy field, breaking through key technology bottlenecks, building a diversified and coordinated clean energy supply system, promoting green and low-carbon industrial transition, and safeguarding energy security.

Academician Gao Xiang delivered a report.

Students listened attentively and asked questions actively, marking the start of the first session of knowledge sharing and intellectual exchange.

Ice-Breaking Activities and CEADs Lectures

In the afternoon, the organizers arranged an ice-breaking activity. Staff members of the CEADs team randomly distributed puzzle pieces to divide students into groups and guide self-introductions. Through the activity, students gradually got to know one another, and the atmosphere in the venue became warmer and more lively. The puzzle game not only strengthened teamwork skills, but also deepened mutual understanding, laying a good foundation for the activities ahead. We look forward to seeing participants spark more ideas in future interactions and create wonderful memories together.

In a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, doctoral students Guan Yuru, Li Shuping, and Tan Chang introduced in detail the methods and accounting steps for carbon emissions in Chinese cities, developing countries, and point sources. Every student benefited greatly and gained a deeper understanding of carbon emissions accounting. In addition, doctoral students Wang Wenqiang and Wang Zhenyu introduced the construction and application of the global emerging economies multi-regional input-output model, the EMERGING database. They not only shared practical application cases of the model, but also provided detailed construction steps, helping students better master this important model.

The CEADs team gave lectures.

Through these engaging presentations, students expanded their knowledge and learned practical accounting and model-building methods. We look forward to seeing them apply this valuable knowledge in future research and practice, and jointly promote green and low-carbon development.

In the evening, everyone gathered at the restaurant of the AOLUGUYA Hotel in Harbin for a hearty dinner. In the warm setting, Professor Dabo Guan drew on his own experience to encourage participants to make use of their comparative advantages and become happy researchers. Accompanied by good food and pleasant views, students enjoyed authentic northeastern flavors and exchanged ideas and experiences with teachers and friends in a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant was filled with laughter and conversation, and everyone was immersed in the memorable evening.

Professor Dabo Guan spoke at the welcome dinner.

The first day of the Summer Camp concluded successfully amid laughter and joy. We look forward to the coming days, when everyone will continue moving forward together, exploring the ocean of knowledge and gaining more memorable experiences.