TSINGHUA, CHINA — Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), a global research organization that supports nations’ efforts in low-carbon growth by examining the effectiveness of policies and programs, today launched its China research center located at Tsinghua University. The center’s director is Dr. Ye Qi, Professor of Environmental Policy and Management.

CPI at Tsinghua is collaborating with the School of Public Policy and Management, Low Energy Laboratory, School of Economics and Management and Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Tsinghua University to examine a range of low-carbon growth issues in China, including: energy effectiveness in the building sector, the potential impact of property tax reform on building energy conservation, the CO2 impact of the production of goods and services in China, carbon emissions embodied in China’s international trade, and low-carbon growth cities, among other topics.

“Climate Policy Initiative is thrilled to partner with the faculty of Tsinghua University on our research projects,” said Thomas Heller, executive director of Climate Policy Initiative. “Our mission is to provide valuable policy assessment and diagnostic information that policymakers seek, to help them make the best decisions for low-carbon growth.”

Dr. Ye Qi, director of CPI at Tsinghua, noted, “China has implemented many new policies and programs in the last few years to meet its low-carbon growth goals. CPI will provide central and local government authorities with information on what is working and what isn’t, and what specifically needs to be addressed to bridge any gaps in the performance of these policies and programs.”

To mark its launch, CPI at Tsinghua hosted a talk by financier and philanthropist George Soros on May 6 at Tsinghua University and a workshop on May 7 at the China National Convention Center, attended by representatives from the policy and research community in China and abroad. The May 7 workshop speakers included:

• John Bryson, former Chairman, President, and CEO, Edison International,
• William Chandler, Co-founder and President, Transition Energy,
• Xue Lan, Dean of the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, and
• Zhang Xiliang, Executive Director, Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University.

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Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is a policy effectiveness analysis and advisory organization.  Its mission is to assess, diagnose, and support nations’ efforts to achieve low-carbon growth.  An independent, not-for-profit organization with long-term support from George Soros, CPI’s headquarters are in San Francisco and regional offices are in Berlin, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, and Venice.