image: Professor Max Lu
Credit: University of Surrey
An unprecedented level of global collaboration and unconventional thinking is needed to consign climate change to the history books, say leaders from Tsinghua University and the University of Surrey.
The two universities have signed a memorandum of understanding and will now work together on research and innovation opportunities in climate change – particularly carbon neutrality and energy systems transformation (CNEST). The universities will also explore opening a joint research facility in the near future.
The new partnership will host joint conferences and scientific meetings and cooperate in postgraduate education and training programmes on CNEST.
Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said:
"Tackling the climate crisis is the most pressing challenge of our time, and the responsibility falls heavily on the scientific community. At the University of Surrey, the institution I have the privilege of leading, we are committed not only to developing solutions that restore our planet's health but also to fostering innovations that empower communities to thrive in a sustainable future. Achieving this will require unprecedented collaboration and bold, unconventional thinking from universities, businesses, and governments alike."
Professor Luming Li, President of Tsinghua University, said:
“The scientific challenges in the field of carbon neutrality require a multidisciplinary approach, multi-system integration, and multi-domain coupling, along with broader international collaboration, to be effectively addressed. The collaboration between Tsinghua University and the University of Surrey will further leverage our long-standing partnerships with universities, research institutions, and enterprises in the UK and across Europe in climate change research and beyond.”
Following its 110th anniversary, Tsinghua University formally established its Institute for Carbon Neutrality (ICON) in 2022. As one of China's highest-ranking universities, Tsinghua's mission is to help the country achieve its goal of peaking carbon dioxide levels by 2040 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
The University of Surrey also launched its own Institute for Sustainability in 2022, demonstrating its commitment to be at the forefront of transdisciplinary sustainability research. The Institute brings together research strengths in diverse but interconnected areas, combining technological solutions with an understanding of wider social contexts. It has multiple research programmes including energy and the environment and sustainable transport and mobility, which are critical to make net zero a reality. It is also committed to SDG 17 (Partnership and Goals), strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development.