On November 5, 2021, the second seminar on “China & Peru -- Creating a Common Future”, jointly organized by Tsinghua University and Universidad Católica del Perú to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Peru, was held online. The theme of the seminar was “Actions to take together toward climate change”, bringing together experts, scholars, students, and business representatives from both countries.

Gabriela Salmón, a researcher from the Institute for Nature, Earth, and Energy of the Universidad Católica del Perú, and Li Junfeng, first director of the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, and current chairman of the Center's Academic Committee, delivered opening speeches for the event.

Salmón said the Universidad Católica del Perú has always been committed to sustainable development, adding that she hopes to strengthen cooperation with Tsinghua to better protect Earth.

Salmón delivers her speech

Li said climate change is a common problem for all mankind and no country can be exempt from it. China and Peru can learn from each other on this issue and work together to address the challenges brought by climate change, he added.

Li delivers his speech

Speakers from China and Peru shared their views on climate change policies implemented by both countries and related technological innovations.

Elsa Galarza, a professor and director of the School of Public Management of the Universidad del Pacífico in Peru, said that in response to the environmental problems faced by Peru, the Peruvian government has implemented a series of policies to facilitate economic transformation and increase the use of renewable energy. In 2016, she signed the Agreement on Environmental Cooperation on behalf of the Ministry of Environment of Peru with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People's Republic of China. She said China has a lot of experience in this area, adding that she hopes both countries will continue to promote cooperation in environmental protection.

Galarza gives her keynote speech

Yang Xiu, research director of the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development said China has developed a series of top-to-bottom climate change policies and mechanisms, including goals and action plans for different sectors, and has carried out several pilot projects to explore low-carbon development paths and models. China has already achieved the initial decoupling of economic development from carbon emissions and will continue to work toward its goals of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.

Yang Xiu gives her keynote speech

Norma Salinas, a researcher from the Institute for Nature, Earth, and Energy of Universidad Católica del Perú, described the effects of temperature on biodiversity, species distribution and ecosystems, saying that it is important to reduce human influence to prevent ecosystems from facing a critical point of collapse.

Salinas gives her keynote speech

President of Yangtze Power International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd., Xue Ning said his company has made active efforts to combat climate change and has set the goals of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2023 and carbon neutrality by 2040. In addition, the company will also work on clean energy development all over the world. In 2019, the company acquired the largest power company in Peru, which is now dedicated to serving the local community and helping Peru develop its economy and combat climate change.

Xue Ning gives his keynote speech

Rolf Grieseler, professor of the Physical Section and member of the Materials Science and Renewable Energies Group of the Universidad Católica del Perú, said Peru is an advantageous place for photovoltaic development. However, the current share of photovoltaic solar power is relatively low, accounting for only 2 percent of total energy production. He said a solar panel testing project is being conducted by the Universidad Católica del Peru in order to help Peru boost the development of solar power generation.

Grieseler gives his keynote speech

Jiang Yi, executive director of the Tsinghua XIN Center, said technology, capital, policy, and talent are the main barriers in addressing climate change issues. She introduced some of the technology patents, policies and standards developed by Tsinghua University in the fields of green construction, energy saving and emission reduction. She said Tsinghua University is an open exchange platform that can enable climate technology to be better applied and implemented, adding that she hopes climate change cooperation can be expanded to different countries and regions.

Jiang Yi gives her keynote speech

During the seminar’s student panel, six environmental guardians from Tsinghua University and the Universidad Católica del Perú shared their practical and personal experiences in environmental protection, including the recycling of carbon dioxide to create renewable chemicals and fuels, the design and application of an automated system for the digitalization of continental water bodies, the “Up Marathon” low-carbon action, promoting green coffee cultivation and documenting the carbon footprint of coffee production, and environmental issues in Hubei.

Students deliver their speeches

At the end of the conference, Eric Cosio Caravasi, director of the Institute for Nature, Earth, and Energy of the Universidad Católica del Perú, and Chen Taotao, director of Tsinghua Latin America Center, gave closing remarks. Eric Cosio Caravasi emphasized the role of policy, technological innovation, and universities in addressing climate issues, adding that he looks forward to closer cooperation between China and Peru in the future.

Eric Cosio moderates the panel

Chen Taotao said that although China and Peru are far apart, the two countries can work together to promote interaction and cooperation between the government, academia, and the business world by building an integrated platform. The earth is small, but there are many challenges, and only by working together can we create a better future,” Chen said.

This news comes from Tsinghua University News:

https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1245/10805.htm