The 2021 International Clean Energy Development and Cooperation Forum was successfully held on December 17 by the Green and Smart Energy Organization through a mix of live and online speeches as part of the 2021 Carbon Peak and Neutrality Forum and the 9thShenzhen International Low Carbon City Forum, which was hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government under the guidance of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province. The Forum showcased innovative policy and high-tech advances taking place both in China and internationally in the clean energy field, and in addition to the on-site attendees was also viewed by a peak online audience of 3600 streaming via Tencent VooV Meeting.

Opening address by Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

In an opening speech prepared for the forum, Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his belief that this important forum can share best practices and synergize solutions for low-carbon urban sustainable development in the post-Covid 19 era, and also emphasized the urgency of a collective approach to tackling climate change: “We must accelerate our common implementation efforts. We do not have a plan B, because we do not have a Planet B and we have no time to spare. The sobering August released UN IPCC report paints a devastating picture of a worsening global climate crisis that is now inevitable, unprecedented, and irreversible, but it also details that rapid large-scale emissions reduction can still succeed in restricting the planet’s temperature rise to around 1.5 degrees Celsius. In order to implement the Paris Climate Agreement and push it even further, all countries, industries, and stakeholders need to urgently expand their ambitions and agency in cutting emissions and expediting the rapid decarbonizing of the global economy.”

Long Yongtu, Chief Negotiator for China’s accession into the WTO and member of the GSEO Steering Committee, pointed out that “The green and low-carbon transformation of energy is the most urgent and important strategic task for the global response to climate change, which requires strengthening international cooperation. The world has entered the era of 'carbon politics', China's future of achieving a 'carbon economy' is bright and promising, and it is particularly necessary for all localities to establish a 'carbon reduction and decontamination' technical system with low risk, fast speed, large scale, low cost and high efficiency as soon as possible.”

Opening address by Long Yongtu, Chief Negotiator for China’s accession into the WTO and member of the GSEO Steering Committee

Keynote speeches on the theme of clean energy development under the background of the dual carbon goals were given by Kan Yanbing, Deputy Director of the National Energy Conservation Center (China), Yu Junchong, Doctoral Supervisor at the China Nuclear Power Research and Design Institute, and Noé van Hulst, Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE). They discussed the role of various energy sources, including hydrogen and nuclear energy, in accelerating the clean energy transition.

Keynote speech by Kang Yanbing, Deputy Director of the National Energy Conservation Center (China)

Keynote speech by Yu Junchong, Doctoral Supervisor at the China Nuclear Power Research and Design Institute

Keynote speech by Noé van Hulst, Chair of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE)

Yu Jing, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission presented a keynote speech highlighting policies being undertaken in Shenzhen to facilitate the energy transition and achieve carbon neutrality.

Keynote speech by Yu Jing, Deputy Director of the Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission

Guido Giacconi, Vice-President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, also delivered a keynote speech focusing on the impact of recent trade developments for cooperation on clean energy between China and the EU.

The main session of the forum hosted various representatives of leading energy firms and organizations, including the UNIDO International Solar Energy Center for Technology Promotion & Transfer (ISEC-UNIDO), Shenzhen SEG Energy Group, Southern Power Grid Power Supply Bureau Co., Huawei Digital Power, the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the China Renewable Energy Society, and the China Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co.

Speakers and attendees of the 2021 International Hydrogen Energy Industry Development and Cooperation Seminar

The 2021 International Hydrogen Energy Industry Development and Cooperation Seminar was held on the afternoon of December 17th, providing a high-level venue for discussion on opportunities for the hydrogen energy sector both in China and internationally. Xie Yuntao, Director of the Major Project Office of Shenzhen’s Longgang District Development and Reform Commission, delivered an opening address highlighting Longgang District’s long-term goal for hydrogen energy as part of its “14thFive-Year Plan,” emphasizing the high priority placed on strengthening international linkages between Shenzhen and other ambitious world regions on both hydrogen research and industrial applications.

Thierry Lepercq, Spokesperson for Hydeal Ambition, delivering video speech.

A series of presentations by representatives of leading international and domestic hydrogen energy firms and research institutes were received with great enthusiasm by the on-site audience. Speakers included Mrs. Li Hui, Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, who discussed challenges and opportunities for hydrogen production from PEM electrolysis; Mr. Zhu Jie, General Manager of Beijing Huaqing Hydrogen High Power Technology Co. Ltd., who explored several hydrogen energy technologies contributing to China’s carbon neutral strategy; Guo Yuping, Vice General Manager of the State Fuel Cell Corporation, who discussed development trends for the fuel cell industry under China’s Dual Carbon goals; Michaela Kendall, CEO of Adelan Ltd., who highlighted Adelan’s accomplishments as the UK’s longest-running fuel cell company; Mr. Thierry Lepercq, Spokesperson for Hydeal Ambition, spoke on the ongoing efforts to develop Europe’s largest-scale green hydrogen production project; Stephen Harrison, Managing Director of sbh4 Consulting, who discussed the potential of hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis with solid carbon in China; and GSEO Project Officer Simone Satta who gave an in-depth report on the GSEO’s ongoing role in promoting hydrogen industry development and their advantageous position for fostering cooperation between the Chinese and international hydrogen sectors.

GSEO Project Officer Simone Satta delivering a speech.

More detailed information on the Forum and Seminar attendees and presentations will be viewable in the upcoming Summary Report.