Carbon Neutrality Institute of TUST

In order to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speeches and instructions on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and actively serve the national and regional carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategic goals, the Carbon Neutrality Institute of Tianjin University of Science and Technology was officially established and inaugurated on September 4, 2021. It is the first carbon neutrality institution led by a university in Tianjin.

The institute is based on institutions such as the Tianjin Green Development Decision-making Behavior Analysis Laboratory, the Tianjin Characteristic Discipline Group of Energy Economics and Green Development, and the Tianjin University Think Tank. It features interdisciplinary research, aiming to create new advantages for Tianjin University of Science and Technology in "dual-carbon" research and explore innovations in scientific research and talent training mechanisms.

The institute has 3 divisions: the Information Department, the Interdisciplinary Research Department, and the Cooperation and Promotion Department. It has built 8 centers: the Science and Technology R & D Center, the Strategy Center, the Policy and Regulations Center, the Green Climate Finance Center, the Energy-Saving Technology Center, the Carbon Sink Center, the Talent Training Center, and the Technology Transfer and Promotion Center. It has 4 key construction platforms: the information network, the journal, the database, and the science popularization base.

Research Fields

1. Research on Scientific and Technological Innovation Policies and Low - Carbon Development Strategies (Macro policy Level)

Precise simulations are carried out using models such as the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) system and the Integrated Assessment Model of Energy, Economy and Environment. The economic, environmental and social effects of scientific and technological innovation policies and low-carbon development strategies are examined to serve the major strategic planning of scientific and technological development innovation and scientific and technological system reform under the "dual-carbon" goals.

2. Construction of the System and Mechanism for the Green and Low-Carbon Transformation of the Energy Industry (Industrial Development Level)

Research tools such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Input-Output Analysis, and Evolutionary Game Analysis are used to examine the system and mechanism issues in the green and low-carbon transformation of the energy industry, serving the major scientific and technological decision-making issues faced in the green and low-carbon transformation of key national and regional industries.

3. Construction of Special Technologies and Capabilities to Support Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality (Technical Support Level)

Special technology research is carried out in directions such as low-carbon materials, new energy carriers, carbon adsorption technologies, carbon sink technologies, and intelligent manufacturing technologies. A training course system for promoting carbon-neutral innovation technologies and systems and mechanisms is constructed to focus on enhancing the city's ability to achieve carbon neutrality.

Research Features

Feature 1: Interdisciplinary Integration and Innovation

It is a comprehensive team integrating multiple disciplines such as Management Science and Engineering, Light Industry, Artificial Intelligence, Environmental Engineering, Food Engineering, Packaging and Printing, and Mechanical Engineering. It condenses core scientific research strength and effectively applies natural science research methods to the field of social sciences.

Feature 2: Policy Evaluation Based on Comprehensive Evaluation Models

A comprehensive evaluation model is constructed by means of multi-model integration, including the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model, the LEAP model, the Life Cycle Assessment model, and the Environmental Impact model, using virtual reality (VR) to conduct quantitative analysis and evaluation of the macro - strategies of low-carbon development and the economic, environmental, and social effects of industrial policies.

Feature 3: Strong Industry Foundation

This think tank is one of the earliest professional research institutions in Tianjin engaged in climate change research and has made certain contributions to the low-carbon development of Tianjin.

Development Plan

1. The 14th-15th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2030) is the Accumulation Period.

By integrating multi-regional CGE models, life-cycle models, LEAP models, and VR simulation technologies, an integrated assessment model of the environment, economy, and society oriented towards low-carbon goals will be developed. By integrating disciplines such as electronics, machinery, chemical engineering, and artificial intelligence, breakthroughs in energy-saving and carbon-reduction technologies, zero-carbon technologies, and negative-carbon technologies will be highlighted to serve Tianjin's carbon peaking and lay a scientific, technological, and capacity foundation for carbon neutrality.

2. The period from 2031 to 2050 is the Outbreak Period.

A high-quality research team will be established, and interdisciplinary laboratories and industry think tanks with core scientific research competitive advantages and outstanding contributions will be built. A series of research reports such as "Progress Report on Carbon Neutrality Technologies in the Food Industry", "Carbon Sink Report of the Bohai Bay", and "Carbon Sink from Carbonate Weathering in the Tianjin Water-Rock-Biota System" has established its industry status, contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality paths for Tianjin and China.

Long-term Vision

The institute aims to build a national-level laboratory and a national-level think tank, regularly release industry low-carbon development reports, create a core journal, training professional talents in the "dual-carbon" field, and form a Tianjin University of Science and Technology "dual-carbon" specialty and research brand represented by "brand laboratories, brand majors, brand journals, and brand reports", contributing to addressing climate change issues in Tianjin, China, and even the world.

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