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Day 1 Replay – UK-China Workshop on Energy and Climate Change Economics

By December 20, 2021No Comments

Prof. D’Maris Coffman

Title: Going Nuclear: the importance of UNECE’s recent announcement to achieving sustainable energy transitions

Abstract: In view of the recent UNECE report acknowledging that nuclear energy is a necessary and appropriate part of any realistic transitions pathway to Net Zero in energy, this talk reconsiders the case for nuclear and concludes that it represents the best vehicle for realising high growth decarbonisation pathways while also permitting meaningful climate adaptation especially in the Global South. Ultimately whereas nuclear energy is often considered a threat to global security, the likelihood is that its use in high and middle income countries would be conflict reducing in decadal time scales and would promote climate justice more effectively than any other single contributor to the energy mix. The geopolitics, global governance and political economic dimensions are also discussed.


Prof. Raimund Bleischwitz

Title: The circular economy in China: achievements, challenges and potential implications for decarbonisation

Abstract: China has wide-ranging ambitions for a circular economy (CE) and has been pursuing comprehensive CE policies for almost twenty years. This study aims to understand the achievements and challenges of the CE policy development and implementation in China as well as its implications for decarbonisation. It develops a scope and propositions based on reviews of the recent literature and relevant policies and identifies multi-level indicators and upscaling niches as key factors for China’s success in shifting towards a CE. However, many CE projects in China fail to sustain. We identify limitations to progress further resulting from implementation gaps between early majorities and mass markets and coordination challenges through regional and sectoral differences as main barriers to a deep transformation. Lastly, this study provides final reflections and an outlook on evidence-oriented policy learning for a CE and decarbonisation in China.


Dr. Patrick Schröder

Title: Net zero infrastructure development – the need for circular economy solutions

Abstract: Global infrastructure developments are high on the political agenda and a crucial building block in the net-zero transition. Yet, to achieve global sustainability objectives including the SDGs, it is necessary that these massive infrastructure investments are aligned not only with climate net zero objectives, but also that they integrate circular economy principles and solutions to (i) reduce the hard-to-abate emissions that renewable energy deployment cannot address; and (ii) maximise infrastructure spend efficiency by minimising the use of high-impact primary resources as much as possible. Building infrastructure according to circular principles brings numerous benefits beyond mitigating carbon emissions.


Prof. Evina Katsou

Title: Water 4.0: The digital transformation of the water sector

Abstract: The Wastewater Treatment Plants of the future are climate neutral systems that efficiently and economically recover and recirculate valuable resources, energy and materials. One of the main ambitions of the Water Utilities is to reach net-zero carbon emissions. We are introducing new methods and techniques to find trends and patterns in data and derive insight about the processes. This insight is combined by domain knowledge to create powerful tools for decision optimisation in water and wastewater systems. This work also reviews the Decision Support System (DSS) developed under European Union research programmes. Besides, it identifies the limitations and barriers preventing the implementation of DSS at the operational and management level in the water sector. Finally, it provides directions for developing DSS tools to support stakeholders in decision-making for more holistic and efficient management of water resources.


Prof. Yutao Wang

Title: Cleaner production and life cycle thinking in pulp and paper industry towards carbon neutrality

Abstract: Papermaking is one of the four great inventions of ancient China, which plays an important role in human history. Today, with the development of living standards, paper products have become more diversified to meet the increasing demands. But pulp and paper industry is an energy-water intensive sector and contributes more than 2% GHG emissions of the whole industrial sectors according to IEA. However, there are trade-offs when considering the whole lifecycle of paper as well as the regional differences in raw materials structure, technology, energy mix, etc. From the lifecycle perspective, this sector has its advantages to become a low-carbon sustainable industry, while facing the challenge of multiple trade-offs. In this talk, it will explore pathways towards carbon neutrality for pulp and paper industry based on cleaner production approach and life cycle thinking.


Prof. Konstantinos Salonitis

Title: Resource resilient foundries: Transition to net zero

Abstract: Foundries sector is among the most energy intensive manufacturing sectors. The focus has always been to manufacture things “faster, cheaper and better”, and not necessarily on energy and resource efficient way. A new casting concept is proposed, where the focus is in minimizing the use of resources.  Such approach focuses in the use of high-quality feedstock, only melting what is required and only when it is required. Recycling of internal scrap is not necessarily acceptable but an aim for higher yields is. Applying counter gravity casting methods to improve yield and give enhanced quality is encouraged as is the recovery of low-grade heat from solidification. In the present paper a toolbox is presented for that can be used by foundries for improving their resource efficiency. The toolbox is composed of a number of tools that are able to help monitor, visualize and predict the use of resources. Finally, it is complemented by a decision making tool that allows foundries to decide from alternative solutions.


Dr Chuan Liao

Title: Sustainable and just energy transitions in the global south

Abstract: Energy transitions are taking place at an unprecedented pace in the Global South, and facilitating sustainable and just transitions can lead to far more rapid advances in societal wellbeing that would otherwise be infeasible. As attention devoted to sustainable and just energy transition increases, more systematic knowledge about the drivers and impacts of sustainable energy transition is of utmost importance. This presentation examines the emerging discussions in the energy transition literature that highlight the importance of understanding and theorizing the diversity, determinants, impacts, and interactions of energy transitions. Through the energy justice framework, the presentation will address the distributional, recognitional, and procedural issues of energy transition, and investigate where does injustice occur, who is ignored, and whether is the transition process fair.

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