Nature-based solutions are one of the important measures to achieve carbon neutrality. In order to enhance the interdisciplinary cooperation between Department of Earth System Science and Department of Energy and Power Engineering, on the morning of July 6, the relevant teams of Department of Earth System Science and Department of Energy and Power Engineering of Tsinghua University conducted cooperation and exchanges symposium on this topic. Professor WANG Shujuan, Deputy Dean of Department of Energy and Power Engineering, was invited to the meeting. Professor LUO Yong, Dean of Department of Earth System Science, Professor YANG Jun, Associate Professor BAI Yuqi, Associate Professor CAI Wenjia, and Associate Professor LI Wei attended the meeting. The conference was held in MENG Minwei Science and Technology Building of Tsinghua University.

Speech by LUO Yong, Dean of Department of Earth System Science

On behalf of Department of Earth System Science, LUO Yong first welcomed WANG Shujuan's visit and introduced the development history and basic situation of Department of Earth Sciences. He started from his ongoing international cooperation project——"Research on Nature-Based Solutions to Related Issues", and introduced the main content of the project, including research on NBS carbon reduction potential estimation theory, methods and technology, cost-effectiveness Research on nucleic acid methods and technologies, as well as research on policy making, implementation and evaluation methods. LUO Yong expressed the hope that Department of Earth System Sciences can cooperate with research teams related to Department of Energy and Power Engineering in these research fields.

WANG Shujuan, Deputy Director of Department of Energy and Power Engineering, gave her speech

At the exchange meeting, WANG Shujuan introduced the application of flue gas desulfurization gypsum in the treatment of saline-alkali land and the improvement of production capacity. She analyzed the flue gas desulfurization gypsum technology and its mechanism of improving saline-alkali soils, and economic and ecological benefits resulting therefrom, especially the potential for carbon sequestration. At the same time, she introduced the overall situation of related research programs of Department of Energy and Power Engineering and successful cases of combination of industry, university and research. She hopes to develop closer cooperation with teachers of Department of Earth System Science in aspects including soil carbon sequestration, plant growth carbon sequestration, and ecosystem cycling, in order to provide more nature-based solutions for our country to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.

Scene of the cooperation and exchange symposium

YANG Jun, BAI Yuqi, CAI Wenjia, and LI Wei of Department of Earth System Science conducted detailed and deep discussions with WANG Shujuan on saline-alkali soil improvement technology, cost-effectiveness, soil microbial diversity, ecological environment protection, carbon emissions trading, and construction and use of saline-alkali soil database. Everyone said that they would seek out research topics of mutual interest for both sides to conduct more extensive cooperation.

LI Juan from Business Office of Department of Earth System Science, YAN Xiaohui, the research assistant of LUO Yong's research group, and ZHENG Junqing, the research assistant, attended the symposium.

Group photo of the participants of the cooperation and exchange symposium

Text: LI Juan

Picture: WANG Jiayin

Review: WU Haiping