From June 28 to July 11, 2026, the International Summer School entitled “The Future of Carbon Neutrality: Technology, Policy and Global Action” was successfully held by the China-UK Low Carbon College (LCC) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). This programme was jointly organized by SJTU Graduate School, LCC and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGSNRR, CAS), in collaboration with the Committee on Engineering and the Environment, World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO-CEE) and the Engineering Capacity Building for Africa Programme, World Federation of

Engineering Organizations (WFEO-ECBAP), and with the support of Chinese Association of Automation. The programme was successfully approved as the 2026 “Study in China · International Summer School” initiative under the Ministry of Education, and received funding support from the Chinese Government Scholarship.

The programme attracted over 40 participants from 24 countries and regions, including France, Argentina, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia and etc., the proportion of international students accounting for as much as 88%. Participants spanned undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, with specializations ranging across energy, environment, public policy, economics and management, international law and other fields; their diverse cultural backgrounds and disciplinary perspectives injected a wealth of vitality into the in-depth discussions on carbon neutrality.

Opening Ceremony & Launch of the Summer School: Establishing a platform for international exchange

On June 29, the summer school officially opened. Geng Yong, Dean of LCC, and Lou Ziyang, Vice Dean of LCC, attended the ceremony. Lou Ziyang delivered the welcome address, introduced the distinctive educational features and internationalization strategy of SJTU to the participating students from various countries, as well as the outstanding achievements in talent development, research platforms and low-carbon technology of LCC. He encouraged the students to draw wisdom from cross-cultural exchanges and to contribute their youthful energy to the global cause of carbon neutrality.

Following the opening ceremony, Geng Yong delivered the “Dean’s First Lecture” on the topic of “Resource Management in Response to Climate Change”, offering the participants an intellectual feast‌ by exploring cutting-edge issues such as global climate governance, the sustainable use of resources and trends in the low-carbon transition.

Lectures delivered by Leading Academics: Laying a solid foundation in low-carbon theory

This summer school brings together a distinguished panel of teaching staff from China and abroad to deliver a series of cutting-edge courses focusing on core areas such as global climate governance, low-carbon development within the SDG framework, low-carbon policies, youth climate action and sustainable energy, thereby establishing a systematic body of knowledge on carbon neutrality.

The programme has invited overseas experts, including Professor Theodore Hanein and Dr Zhili Ren from the University of Leeds, to deliver specialized modules in collaboration with the leading teaching staff from the university. Experts from China and abroad analyzed the opportunities and challenges of the low-carbon transition from multiple perspectives — including technology, industry, policy and governance — to help participants establish an international, interdisciplinary knowledge framework.

Research in Practice: Exploring pathways to innovative development

To promote the integration of theory and research practice, the programme organized a visit to the low-carbon research laboratories of LCC, where they gained first-hand insights into the achievements in the development of research platforms, the research and development of low-carbon technologies, and the work on cutting-edge research topics of LCC. By gaining close-up exposure to cutting-edge research directions, experimental techniques and application scenarios in the field of carbon neutrality, the participants deepened their understanding of the interdisciplinary integration of low-carbon related disciplines and strengthened their interest in scientific exploration and practical innovation.                           

Industrial Visits: Gaining an insight into low-carbon transition initiatives

The summer school organized and conducted in-depth research practice at the forefront of the industry, visited the Shanghai Environment and Energy Exchange and the Humanoid Robot Innovation Incubator Exhibition Centre, to gain a systematic understanding of the operational mechanisms of the national carbon market, green finance development models, and new business forms arising from the integration of smart manufacturing and low-carbon industries. In addition, the participants travelled to Hangzhou to conduct specialized research at the Chint Group. Through exhibition hall tours and case studies, they learnt about the practical achievements of leading domestic enterprises in areas such as new energy development, smart equipment manufacturing, energy-saving and emission-reduction transformation, and green production upgrades. This allowed them to gain a first-hand understanding of the dynamic practices underpinning the green and low-carbon transition of China’s real economy, thereby effectively bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world industrial contexts.        

Study Tours & Field Trips: Promoting mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures

Alongside the academic studies, the programme organized a wide range of cultural study tours and immersive experiences. Participants visited the university’s history museum to reflect on the century-long heritage of SJTU; strolled along the Bund and through the Yu Garden to experience the urban landscape of Shanghai, where past and present intertwine; and then travelled to the South Lake in Jiaxing for a study tour focusing on the history of the Communist Party of China, discovering the cultural roots of the Jiangnan region.                                               

In addition, interactive experiences such as intangible cultural heritage crafts and traditional cuisine workshops enabled participants from various countries to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture in a relaxed atmosphere, whilst fostering friendship and building consensus on green development through the exchange of civilizations.

Thematic Seminars: Inspiring innovative thinking among youth

During the thematic seminars, participants focused on the theme of “Low-Carbon Campus Design”, conducting research on sub-topics such as energy efficiency in green buildings, sustainable transport, waste recycling and low-carbon campus management. Chinese and international participants formed cross-national teams to carry out collaborative research, drawing on the outcomes of the two-week courses, research practice and industry surveys, and delivered final project presentations. Six international teams presented their research findings in turn,  the academic staff of LCC provided professional feedback and guidance on aspects including research logic, framework design, innovative highlights and practical value, thereby effectively enhancing the participants’ critical thinking and cross-cultural collaboration skills. The “Best Group Presentation Award” was selected as part of the programme’s parallel judging process, thus promoting learning through competitions and fostering innovation through researches.                                                                                                       

Successful Conclusion: Fulfilling the environmental responsibilities of youth

On July 10, the summer school successfully held the award and closing ceremony. Guo Liang, Chief of LCC, Lou Ziyang, Vice Dean of LCC, and Fu Yilai, Director of LCC General Academic Affairs Office, attended the ceremony to present awards to teams with outstanding achievements and award the certificates of completion to all participants.

Student representatives from South Africa, Colombia and France took turns to share their reflections on the programme. They noted that the summer school featured a well-structured curriculum and a wealth of practical contents, this has not only consolidated their theoretical foundations in carbon neutrality and broadened their international academic horizons, but also enabled them to grow and forge friendships through cross-border collaboration and cultural exchange, whilst further clarifying the responsibilities of young people worldwide in climate governance and the low-carbon transition.           

In her address, Guo Liang expressed her deep gratification that youth from various countries had come together in pursuit of the carbon neutrality goal. She encouraged everyone to continue to make in-depth contributions to the field of sustainable development, and noted that the participants are warmly welcome to return to SJTU in the future to pursue further studies or engage in academic collaborations, so that this academic friendship that transcends national borders might continue to extend and deepen.

The successful hosting of this summer school represents a significant practical step by LCC in deepening internationalization education, advancing interdisciplinary training and implementing the concept of integrating industry and education. The college will continue to draw on its disciplinary strengths and international resources to establish a high-calibre, open platform for young scholars in the “dual carbon” sector, bringing together the collective wisdom of global youth to continuously empower the global transition to a green, low-carbon economy and the pursuit of sustainable development.