On April 12, 2026, the Academic Salon on Energy and Climate Change Policy Research between Mainland China and Hong Kong was successfully convened in Meeting Room 318, Comprehensive Building, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing. Invited attendees included Researcher Zhang Xian from the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21, Professor Fung Kui Sheung and Assistant Professor Pang Lai Ching from the University of Hong Kong, Researcher Tan Xianchun from the Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Tian Peipei from the Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Shandong University (Weihai), Professor Lin Zhenhong from South China University of Technology, Associate Professor Zou Hongyang from Tianjin University, Assistant Professor Zhang Yuanyuan from Xiangtan University, Senior Engineer Shang Li from the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Senior Engineer Xu Yuan from the National Climate Center, and Assistant Researcher Tang Linbin from the Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences. More than 40 participants from the School of Energy and Mining Engineering, School of Management, School of Chemical & Environmental Engineering of China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing, as well as other institutions attended and exchanged ideas. The event was hosted by Professor Fan Jingli, Vice Dean of the School of Energy.

During the academic presentation session, Professor Fung Kui Sheung from the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, the University of Hong Kong delivered a talk entitled Bridging Divides for a Just Future: Advancing Low-Carbon Transition While Reducing Inequality. In his presentation, Professor Fung systematically addressed key social equity issues amid global low-carbon transition. He pointed out that carbon reduction entails not only the reshaping of energy structures but also profound adjustments to socio-economic benefits. Attention must be paid to disparities among different groups in bearing transition costs and accessing corresponding benefits. Through multi-dimensional spatiotemporal analysis, the presentation examined the dynamic impacts of energy policies on social inequality and proposed innovative pathways for inclusive and just transition. This research offers critical academic perspectives and policy implications for advancing carbon neutrality while safeguarding social equity.

In the subsequent discussion session, participating scholars highly recognized the theoretical value and practical prospects of Professor Fung’s research. They engaged in intensive discussions on socio-economic driving mechanisms underlying low-carbon transition and ways to reconcile climate change mitigation and inequality reduction. The event facilitated academic exchanges on energy and climate policy research between Mainland China and Hong Kong, and explored innovative avenues for further bilateral collaboration in this field.

In her closing remarks for the salon, Professor Fan Jingli noted that Mainland China and Hong Kong each possess distinct strengths and characteristics in research on climate change response, energy security assurance and just transition. In-depth interdisciplinary research and strengthened academic exchanges and cooperation should be promoted. The successful holding of this academic salon has deepened academic dialogues between Mainland China and Hong Kong in energy and climate change policy. It provides a high-level platform for faculty, students and researchers to communicate, and creates important opportunities for the School to carry out high-impact collaborative research in this domain.