On the Afternoon of October 30, Kai Mykkänen, Minister for Climate and the Environment of the Republic of Finland, delivered a speech entitled “How to Lead the Way in the Clean Energy Transition” at the 110th Tsinghua Forum. Jiang Peixue, Vice President of Tsinghua University and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Liu Shuming, Dean of Tsinghua School of Environment, and Wang Can, School Council Chair of Tsinghua School of Environment attended the Forum. Liu Shuming chaired the event.

Tsinghua University Vice President Jiang Peixue delivers opening remarks at the 110th Tsinghua Forum

Jiang Peixue extended a warm welcome to Minister Mykkänen. He noted that Energy is vital for human survival and development, and low-carbon energy is crucial for the future of humanity. Tsinghua University is paying more attention to “green” and “dual-carbon” goals, and is actively engaged in promoting energy transition, contributing to the achievement of the “dual-carbon” goals and the global temperature rise control target outlined in the Paris Agreement. Since 2015, the School of Environment at Tsinghua has engaged in extensive cooperation with the University of Helsinki in atmospheric aerosol research, supporting air pollution control efforts in Beijing and its surrounding areas. These exchanges have provided valuable opportunities for Tsinghua students to access the international scientific frontiers and have also built a bridge for scientific research cooperation between the two countries. He conveyed the hope that the cooperation and green partnerships with Finnish universities and institutes continue to strengthen and expand, to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Finnish Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen delivers a speech at the 110th Tsinghua Forum

In his speech, Minister Mykkänen elaborated on Finland’s achievements and pathways in the clean energy transition. He noted that in the face of the severe challenges brought about by global climate change, the Finnish government has made continued efforts in policy guidance, technological innovation and infrastructure construction to promote the wide implementations of renewable energy such as wind and solar energy, and to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. He stated that Finland has made the clean energy transition a national strategic priority and has immensely enhanced the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix through laws, financial support and innovation, so that carbon emissions in the power sector have continued to decline in recent years.

Liu Shuming chaired the Forum

Wang Can presents a Commemorative Certificate of Tsinghua Forum to Minister Mykkänen

Forum participants raise questions

Minister Mykkänen’s speech was enthusiastically received by the audience. During the Q&A session, Minister Mykkänen exchanged views with students on topics such as clean energy policy, the green economy, and international climate cooperation.

At the conclusion of the Forum, Wang Can presented a Commemorative Certificate of Tsinghua Forum to Minister Mykkänen.

Co-hosted by the Academic Committee of Tsinghua University and the School of Environment, the 110th Tsinghua Forum was attended by representatives of the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and the Embassy of Finland in Beijing, as well as the Academic Planning and Development Office, the Research & Development Affairs Office, the School of Environment and other units of Tsinghua University. Additionally, over 100 students participated in the Forum.