[SCPO-SH-Lecture] Energy Transition in China and Europe

On April 20th, the Sciences Po Alumni in Shanghai held a lecture entitled "Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for Europe and China."

Several high-level speakers were at the stage, including Hervé Machenaud, former Executive Vice President of Électricité de France (EDF Group), Nicolas Poirot, President and CEO of Air Liquide Greater China, Tu Jianjun, Managing Director of Agora Energy Transition China, Yu Hongyuan, Director of the Public Policy and Innovation Research Institute of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, and Fulvio Bartolucci, General Manager of Aden Energy and Tera.

The lecture was opened by Mr. Joan Valadou, Consul General of France in Shanghai, and Mr. Zhao Weijun, President of Envision AESC China, who highlighted the significance of the energy transition for the development of China and Europe. The Consul General emphasized the potential for cooperation between China and Europe in this important field and the possibility of achieving greater progress.

Mr. Machenaud, in his keynote speech, emphasized that every country should develop clean energy based on its national conditions from a pragmatic perspective. He also stated that technologies such as "clean coal" and "ultra-supercritical" power plants should not be overlooked, and that developing nuclear energy with safety as a priority would be an important part of supporting low-carbon transition. In his view, pursuing "green and low-carbon" goals unrealisticallycould lead to a detour in energy transition strategy.

Tu Jianjun, Managing Director of Agora Energy Transition China, then discussed the cooperation between China and Europe in energy transition and climate change. He believed that, under the impetus of the climate crisis, China and the European Union need to engage in-depth exchanges and cooperation. China's manufacturing industry is globally leading in achieving economies of scale, and the European Union is highly competitive in standardization, legislation, and technological innovation. Whether the two sides can explore politically feasible and mutually beneficial cooperation models in the future is worth continued attention and vigorous promotion from all parties concerned.

During the event, the guests all expressed that the macro international environment has a significant impact on the energy transition of each country. Inflation and rising energy prices are problems that need to be faced. Mr. Yu Hongyuan, the director of the Institute of Public Policy and Innovation at the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, expressed his expectation for the future development of China's green supply chain, especially emphasizing that China needs to transform from the world's factory of manufacturing to the world's factory of green supply chain. Mr. Nicolas Poirot, the President and CEO of Air Liquide Group in Greater China, emphasized the importance of scientific researchers and public policy talents, and believed that a balance between science and engineering and public policy concepts could help tighten the connection between governments and enterprises, playing an important role in the energy transition issue. At the same time, China and Europe should continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of scientific research, such as greenhouse gas research, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while achieving economic growth according to the actual situation of each country. Mr. Poirot also added with a smile that that Air Liquide Group needs to recruit more Sciences Po alumni (welcome everyone to send your resume).

All four speakers reiterated the importance of China-Europe cooperation in the energy sector, expressing their commitment to furthering mutual understanding and exploring effective cooperation models to face the energy transition challenges and opportunities. 

Ms. Zhou Hewei, President of the Sciences Po Alumni in Shanghai, stated that Sciences Po has developed many outstanding talents in the energy field and has made a positive contribution to Sino-French and Sino-European energy cooperation. Leveraging its excellent alumni network, the Sciences Po Alumni in Shanghai will continue to hold lectures on topics such as energy transformation, climate change, and carbon neutrality. Through in-depth discussions among experts and scholars from China and Europe, both sides will deepen their understanding and contribute to the promotion of Sino-European cooperation.

Special thanks to all the sponsors who have supported this lecture, and hope that more companies can join and support the activities of the Sciences Po Alumni in Shanghai for the "China-Europe Dialogue."

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Photo credit: ZHAI Yue