For the summer of 2024, The California-China Climate Institute launched a Student Travel and Fieldwork Grant program for UC Berkeley Students. Below outlines the selected student projects and some of their key highlights. Learn more about each of their projects through their blogs.
Low-Carbon Pathways for China’s Cement Industry
The below blog was written by a California-China China Climate Institute Travel and Fieldwork Grant Receipient Student, Chengyao Liang, a Ph.D Candidate in Civil and Environmental Engineering. It serves as one of the culminating outcomes of the student fieldwork project, "Lowering Carbon from China's Cement Industry."
The cement industry plays a pivotal role in global construction and infrastructure development, yet it is also one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In China, the cement sector has been a cornerstone of rapid economic growth and urbanization, contributing significantly to both national infrastructure and global cement production. However, with China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and peaking CO2 emissions by 2030, transitioning to low-carbon cement production is essential.
Investment in Africa’s Energy Sectors Will Benefit U.S.-China Climate Collaborations
The below blog was written by a California-China China Climate Institute Travel and Fieldwork Grant Receipient Student, Xi Xi, a Master of Science (M.S.) Candidate in Energy and Resources at UC Berkeley. It serves as one of the culminating outcomes of the student fieldwork project, "Chinese and U.S. collaboration on green hydrogen in Kenya."
Despite a long history of collaboration around climate change, there is simultaneously a rising tide of increasing competition and tension between the U.S. and China. This plays out in many domains, but often overlooked is the key role it plays on the continent of Africa around infrastructure development, critical minerals, and other key resources.
Zero-Emission Vehicle Mandates and Climate Justice: A Case from China’s Ride-Hailing Economy
The below blog was written by a California-China China Climate Institute Travel and Fieldwork Grant Receipient Student, David Su, a Ph.D candidate at UC Berkeley. It serves as one of the culminating outcomes of the student fieldwork project, "Ride-Hailing and Food-delivery platforms and climate policy in Guangdong, China."
China’s strong push toward Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) adoption has placed it at the forefront of green energy innovation, with ZEV policies being central to the country’s climate strategy. However, the rapid implementation of these mandates, especially in pilot cities in Guangdong Province, has raised significant challenges for gig workers, particularly those in the ride-hailing industry. Despite ambitious goals, the gap between policy design and reality reveals climate justice is a key condition for successful policy implementation.
Marginalized Community Resilience to Wildfires
The below blog was written by a California-China China Climate Institute Travel and Fieldwork Grant Receipient Student, Erica Anjum, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley. It serves as one of the culminating outcomes of the student fieldwork project, "Marginalized Community Resilience to Wildfires."
This summer, I conducted site visits, interviews, and focus groups with decision-makers and planners involved in local wildfire recovery and preparedness efforts, as well as impacted residents. Although many sites were rural, my research prioritizes understanding the vulnerabilities of urban minorities, particularly migrants in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and adjacent counties, who frequently face evacuation.
Catastrophe insurance and resilience to climate disasters in Guangdong, China
The below blog was written by a California-China China Climate Institute Travel and Fieldwork Grant Receipient Student, Isabel Qi, Ph.D Candidate, City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley. It serves as one of the culminating outcomes of the student fieldwork project, "Climate Adaptation to Flooding in China."
As cities around the world are experiencing exacerbating impacts from climate change from wildfires and extreme heat to typhoons and extreme rainfall, it is imperative for governments of all levels to expand their financial toolbox to support resilience efforts and post-disaster recovery.
2024 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Winners
Clean Energy Champion awards recognizes individuals who are combating climate change and contributing to California’s clean energy future through their bold moves, leadership, and innovative ideas.
Preparing for China’s 15th Five-Year climate planning cycle:
A new California-China Climate Institute report highlights that national goals in China for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have historically been in intensity terms. Neither national nor provincial 14th five-year plans have incorporated absolute limits on emissions. Instead, the 14th five-year plans have continued the central government’s historical preference for CO2 intensity goals, which are set at 18% below the 2020 level by 2025, and 65% below the 2005 level by 2030.
California-China Climate Institute Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary
The California-China Climate Institute this week celebrated five years of informing policymakers, fostering cooperation, and driving climate solutions at all levels in the U.S. and China. Top scholars, government officials, and climate leaders – including the Institute’s chair and vice chair, former California Governor Jerry Brown and former California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols – will mark the occasion later this week during Climate Week NYC, where the Institute was launched back in 2019.
China, Climate, and Clean Energy
China seems to have leap-frogged the U.S. on clean energy. We need to catch up. Read Professor Dan Farber's article in LegalPlanet.
How should China Mitigate Methane Emissions from Rice and Manure?
Our new California-China Climate Institute report analyzes policies and technologies China should adopt to mitigate agricultural methane mitigation. This report utilizes an integrated analytical framework to (1) understand the factors that are driving methane emissions, (2) reflect regional agricultural contexts and the need for localized policy approaches, and (3) recognize the steps needed to establish a robust MRV system.
![Gavin Newsom, governor of the US state of California, visits the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 26, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]](https://ccci-qa.cnr.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/news_river/public/Newsom.jpeg?itok=5qXvz37K)
Unity a big winner in climate change fight
Despite strained national relations, US and Chinese cities are forging strong partnerships in the fight against climate change, highlighting inspiring instances of joint work at the subnational level.
China Briefing 13 June: EU EV tariffs; Grid buildout; US-China subnational climate cooperation
TARIFFS DECIDED: The EU has announced additional tariffs of up to 38.1% on electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured in China, with “individual duties” on BYD, Geely and SAIC of 17.4%, 20% and 38.1%, according to Bloomberg.
Open, candid US-China dialogue ‘more crucial than ever’ and Hong Kong has key role in bay area ties, finance chief Paul Chan says
The maintenance of open and candid communication between China and the US is “more crucial than ever” and Hong Kong can play a key role in boosting the cooperation efforts of the superpowers’ bay areas, the city’s finance chief has said.
Bay to Bay dialogue event in California
In Northern California, a special event focused on Bay to Bay dialogue has brought together leaders to brainstorm climate issues.
(Fox 40) The Bay to Bay Dialogue held to deepen mutual understanding between China and US
Organized by the Guangdong Government, the Government of the State of California, Chinese People's for Friendship with Foreign Countries and California China Climate Institute, the first US-China Bay to Bay Dialogue was held in Berkeley, California on May 29 (local time).
(CGTN) California-China Climate Institute Event in Berkeley Promotes Climate Action
The California-China Climate Institute is hosting a two-day high-level event in Berkeley, California to promote climate action. It's bringing together mayors and other local officials from various parts of China and the United States.
(South China Morning Post) US and China must take lead in climate fight despite their competitive relationship, top Beijing envoy says
Event is follow up to Sunnylands talks last November when the world’s two highest carbon emitters agreed to revive a bilateral working group on climate change
(Politico) China Climate
Newsom’s trip last year to China bore some fruit today when a group of Chinese officials joined U.S. state and federal leaders to talk climate change at a “U.S.-China High-Level Event on Subnational Climate Action” in Berkeley.