On November 1, 2024, the China-UK Low Carbon College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University held the 1st Workshop on Thermal Energy Demand in the Urban Environment (T-ENDURE), uniting experts to explore sustainable urban energy solutions amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

The workshop was supported by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University-University of Edinburgh Joint Seed Fund and featured contributions from prominent researchers and professionals from institutions including the University of Edinburgh, Cardiff University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, etc.

The event began with a welcome address by Associate Professor Kai Wang from the SJTU Low Carbon College, who expressed warm gratitude to the attendees and introduced the college’s mission and the workshop's goals. He emphasized the importance of the event as a platform to spark intellectual exchange, broaden perspectives, and inspire innovative solutions for sustainable development.

Next, Professor Aristides Kiprakis from the University of Edinburgh provided an overview of the T-ENDURE initiative. He described T-ENDURE as a global platform that facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue among experts from various fields, aiming to tackle challenges related to urban climate change, extreme weather risks, and energy-efficient solutions for the built environment.

The first session, Climate Change & Policy, chaired by Dr. Desen Kirli (University of Edinburgh), addressed climate-related challenges in urban settings, zero-carbon building practices, and policy frameworks for achieving net-zero energy transitions. Discussions focused on aligning urban policies with sustainable energy goals to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The second session, Urban/Building Modeling & Optimization, chaired by Dr. KangKang Tong (China-UK Low Carbon College), emphasized the importance of modeling urban energy consumption and optimizing strategies to reduce climate risks. Topics included decarbonizing energy demand in urban environments and utilizing data-driven approaches to improve energy efficiency.

Then, the event concluded with an Open Discussion session led by Prof. Aristides Kiprakis, allowing attendees to engage in collaborative dialogue on sustainable urban solutions and to share interdisciplinary insights. This session underscored the importance of collective action and innovation in addressing the complex energy needs of modern cities.

The T-ENDURE workshop fostered valuable exchanges on enhancing resilience and sustainability in urban environments, showcasing SJTU and UoE’s dedication to pioneering research and practical solutions in climate-responsive urban development.