Climate change is a major challenge facing all of humanity. To address this issue, the Paris Climate Conference adopted the Paris Agreement in December 2015, setting out plans for global climate governance after 2020. “Limiting the rise in global average temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” is the long-term goal of the Paris Agreement. However, some analyses suggest that based on the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries so far, global temperatures could still rise by 3.2 degrees Celsius. As a result, governments around the world have set new targets beyond their original commitments. In November 2018, the European Commission proposed in its “Fit for 55” strategy that the EU achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As one of the countries with the highest carbon emissions in the world, China also bears responsibility for ensuring climate security.
The Cambridge China Studies Association’s Cambridgeshire Lecture Series is honored to invite Professor Zhang Ning, a senior researcher at the Department of Land Economics at the University of Cambridge, to deliver an in-person lecture on “Climate Change and the Dual Carbon Goals.” We warmly invite students and scholars to join us as we delve into this global challenge of climate change, as well as the strategies and impacts associated with achieving the dual carbon goals. The lecture will cover four key aspects:
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Construction of carbon emission databasesThis section will introduce the carbon emission databases developed by Professor Zhang in micro, macro, and meso scales, which are crucial for accurately understanding and predicting carbon emission trends.
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A new model for estimating carbon reduction costsProfessor Zhang will share his latest research findings on developing new models to estimate the costs of reducing carbon emissions, models that help design and implement mitigation measures more effectively.
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Evaluating the effectiveness of climate policiesThis section will explore how methods from microeconomics can be used to assess the impact of different climate policies, particularly their effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development.
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The impacts of climate change on the economy and societyIn this part, Professor Zhang will discuss the wide-ranging effects of climate change on the global economy and society, including its potential impacts on agriculture, industry, and human well-being.
Finally, drawing on his academic research, Professor Zhang will offer a unique perspective on interpreting climate change issues and exploring the moral and spiritual dimensions of humanity’s response to this global challenge. This is not only a lecture on scientific research but also a profound reflection on human responsibility and the future.