The UK-China Climate Change and Sustainability Summit took place on October 27-28, 2021. The hybrid event held both in-person and virtually was jointly organized by the China Forum under the Center for International Security and Strategy of Tsinghua University, China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA), and the UK National Committee on China (UKNCC).

More than 30 participants across government, academia and business communities in China and the UK presented their efforts toward carbon neutrality, explored the challenges and opportunities in tackling climate change, and engaged in a robust and constructive exchange on the roles of green technology, market mechanism and citizen awareness in global climate action.

CPDA President Mr. WU Hailong, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, Chairman of UKNCC Advisory Board, and Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, delivered remarks at the opening ceremony.

In his speech, Mr. Wu noted that people have high expectations for COP26 to deliver practical climate solutions, as China demonstrates its resolve to hit peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The path to carbon neutrality calls for technological innovations and society-wide efforts, he said, adding that the high degree of consensus between China, the UK and Europe on climate actions provides an opportunity for all sides to advance cooperation and improve their relations with each other.

There is great potential for climate cooperation between the UK and China, Sir Malcolm Rifkind said as he expressed the expectation that both sides would maximize their respective strengths and facilitate more dialogues and collaborations.

Sir Tim Smit highlighted the significance of a green lifestyle, and introduced the UK’s ambitious blueprint to reach net zero by 2050.

Other panelists at the summit are:

FU Chengyu, former Chairman, China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation;

WANG Ruijun, Vice Chair, United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development;

TENG Fei, Deputy Director, Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University;

FANG Li, Director, World Resources Institute China;

WANG Zhisheng, Vice Chairman, China Chamber of Commerce to the EU;

HAO Yihan, Principal, China Program, Rocky Mountain Institute;

ZHANG Xiliang, Director, Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University;

YU Xiang, Research Fellow at the International Institute of China Construction Bank;

WANG Yuanfeng, Director, Carbon Neutral Technology and Strategy Research Center, Beijing Jiaotong University;

YANG Fuqiang, Senior Advisor, Climate Change and Energy Transition program, Institute of Energy, Peking University;

DU Shaozhong, Deputy Director, Sustainability Advisory Commission, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2022;

TAO Lan, General Manager, Green Inclusive Co., Ltd;

ZHANG Lirong, Secretary General, China Forum;

HAN Hua, Member, Executive Committee, China Forum;

CHEN Ya’ou, Counsellor, China Public Diplomacy Association;

Carol Culley, Deputy Chief Executive, Manchester City Council;

Chris Murray, Director, Core Cities Group, UK;

Mike Wilton, Chair, Manchester Climate Change Partnership;

Ariel Cohen, Director, Energy, Growth and Security program, International Tax and Investment Center;

Paul Jeffreriss, Non-executive Director, The Carbon Trust;

Gulmira Rzayeva, Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies;

Matt Burney, Country Director China, British Council;

John Darlington, Executive Director, World Monuments Fund Britain;

Max Song, Founder & CEO, Carbonbase;

Xin Yu, Director, Sustainable Food Consumption & Green Supply Chain, World Wildlife Fund China;

Huan Helen Ni, Founder & Director, Green Light Year;

Frank Slevin, Chairman, UK National Committee on China;

Ollie Shiell, CEO, UK National Committee on China;

Andrew Cainey, Director, UK National Committee on China.