Workshop on “Paths of Decarbonization from EU and China Perspectives: Transformation of Companies to Meet Sustainability Goals” Achieved Great Success Go back »

2023-12-12 | Shenyang

On December 5^th, 2023, the European Chamber Shenyang Chapter (hereinafter referred to as the "European Chamber") joined hands with its member company, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "BBA"), to host a seminar on " Paths of Decarbonization from EU and China Perspectives: Transformation of Companies to Meet Sustainability Goals". The event attracted nearly 70 representatives from Liaoning Development and Reform Commission, Liaoning Industry and Information Technology Department, Liaoning Commerce Department, Shenyang Development and Reform Commission, Shenyang Industry and Information Technology Bureau, Shenyang Foreign Affairs Office, as well as member companies and representatives from privilege partners.

Mr. Dieter Dullinger, Vice President of Purchasing & QMP at BBA, delivered the opening speech. He highlighted that this marks the 4^th consecutive year of collaboration between the European Chamber and BBA in organizing green energy workshops. Given the uncertainties in the global economy in the post-pandemic era and the escalating effects of climate change, businesses are facing dual pressures and challenges on both societal and economic fronts. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 20th National Congress’ Initiatives have set new expectations for high-quality development, guiding everyone, including governments and businesses, towards a new direction in green transformation.

Following this, Mr. Xiaohui Liu, Chief Economist of State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) Northeast Electric Power Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SPIC"), took the stage to share insights on " Exploration and Practice of Green Energy Utilization ". Starting with the latest developments in carbon taxation, he pointed out that the comprehensive implementation of "carbon taxation" could lead to an average tariff of 26% for China's manufacturing in the international market, potentially resulting in a big decline in exports. Additionally, the bottleneck in low-carbon transformation of the energy system is challenging to overcome, and the real exit from petrochemical energy will be a long-term process. Establishing a domestic carbon market trading mechanism compatible with the EU's "carbon taxation" is imperative. Mr. Liu further elaborated on topics related to the power market situation in Liaoning and Southern China.

The second keynote speaker was Mr. Paulson Wei, General Manager of DEKRA China Management System & Supply Chain Sustainability. Focusing on EU green agreements and related regulations, he conducted a detailed analysis of enterprises' renewable energy plans and the challenges they face. He particularly shared insights on the challenges of the EU ETS, EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and EU battery regulations etc. towards companies in China.

Subsequently, Mr. Siyao Jiang, Managing Partner of ERM Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., delved deeper into the decarbonization strategies in the automotive industry. He suggested that companies should consider low-carbon layouts from strategic, technological, and operational perspectives, integrating their own value chain and internal and external resources. Starting with reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and then achieving a new energy layout, companies can ultimately realize carbon neutrality goals.

The next sharing guest was Dr. Bernhard Weigl, Vice President of Direct Procurement Asia Pacific at BASF (China) Co., Ltd. He pointed out that BASF's emission reduction target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 compared to 2018. This will be achieved through leveraging green energy, use of heat pumps to generate CO2 free steam from waste heat, improving energy efficiency, replacing fossil fuels with bio-based raw materials, and innovating technologies for emission-intensive chemicals - the five strategic levers to drive BASF's green transformation.

Mr. Dullinger returned to the stage once again as the final sharing guest. He pointed out that, adhering to the 1.5°C temperature control target, BMW's sustainable development strategy in China focuses on carbon reduction measures to address climate change and the concept of a circular economy. In collaboration with upstream and downstream partners, BMW is committed to the green and low-carbon transformation of the automotive industry chain.

After a tea break, Mr. Harald Kumpfert, General Manager of Shenyang Necreat Innovation Energy Technology Co., Ltd., moderated a discussion involving most of the guest speakers and Mr. Mao Jing, President of Dalian TRANSEN Technology Co., Ltd. They explored a highly informative and insightful discussion unfolded around topics such as the future trends of green electricity prices, strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting new energy, and the trading of green electricity and green certificates etc.

In the closing remarks, Mr. Erich Kaiserseder, Chair of the European Chamber Shenyang Chapter, expressed gratitude for the insightful and practical sharing and interactions of all the guests today. Erich stated that the European Chamber will continue to be the voice of foreign enterprises in China, actively addressing topics of concern for businesses such as limited access to renewable energy, policy ambiguities, technology shortages, and concerns about China's emissions trading system. The European Chamber will strive to promote and facilitate regular and efficient communication with government departments, contributing to the efforts of foreign enterprises in China to achieve dual carbon goals.

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