From July 27 to August 5, the 5th CEADs Summer Camp of the China Carbon Emission Accounts & Datasets was successfully held on Xianghu Academician Island, Hangzhou, China. The 10-day summer camp was sponsored by the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21 of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology and the Institute for Carbon Neutrality, Tsinghua University, and jointly organized by the China Carbon Emission Accounts & Datasets (CEADs) of the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University and Xianghu High-tech Application Research Institute. In addition, the Beijing Office of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the Institute of Global Change Research of Tsinghua University, University College London, Birmingham University, Hangzhou Association for Science and Technology and Alibaba Cloud Computing Company also co-hosted this summer camp.

This summer camp brought together more than 120 master’s and doctoral students from more than 100 universities at home and abroad, including Cambridge University, the University of Pennsylvania, Tsinghua University, Peking University and Zhejiang University. The theme of the summer camp focuses on the development and application of carbon accounting in developing countries around the world, aiming to give participants a series of guidance on carbon accounting and related theories and practices of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality by developing a well-rounded training course system, dedicated to training young talents versed in “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” with both excellent professional knowledge and practical skills.

On the morning of July 27th, the 5th CEADs Summer Camp was successfully held on the Xianghu Academician Island, Hangzhou. Prof. Guan Dabo, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), UK and Professor of Basic Science, Tsinghua University, presided over the opening ceremony. Huang Jing, Director of the Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21 (ACCA21), Shao Qianlong, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Zhejiang Provincial People's Government Beijing Office, Su Jilan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Professor of the Second Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dai Minhan, Academician of the CAS and Chief Scientist of Fujian Institute for Sustainable Oceans (Xiamen University), Geng Rui, Secretary of the Party Committee of the DESS, Tsinghua University, Chen Zhiwei, former Director of Zhejiang Energy Bureau, and Zhang Xian, Director of Administrative Center for China’s Agenda 21of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Yu Peng, Researcher of the Comprehensive Division of the Department of Ecology and Environment of Zhejiang Province, Zhou Ying, Deputy Director of Beijing Office of the Cooperation Promotion Department of Zhejiang, Wang Juhong, Member of the Party Group and Vice Chair of Hangzhou Association for Science and Technology, Ji Li, Director of the Hangzhou Academician Expert Center, Ni Lihong, Deputy Director of the Hangzhou Academician Expert Service Center, Wu Bin, Member of the Standing Committee of Xiaoshan District and Director of the Organization Department, Xu Yifei, Chairman of Xiaoshan Association for Science and Technology, Liang Xi, Vice President of the School of Sustainable Construction, University College London, Liu Zhu, Professor of the Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Liu Long, Professor of the Harbin Institute of Technology, Meng Jing, Professor of University College London, Shan Yuli, Associate Professor of Birmingham University, Zhou Wenwen, General Manager of Alibaba Cloud Energy Consumption Cloud, Chen Xiaolu of the Ecological Cooperation Department of Zhejiang Zhengyuan Smart Technology Co., Ltd., Xia Chang, Senior Academic Editor of Nature Journal, Yuan Can, Technical Director of Alibaba Cloud Energy Consumption Cloud, Xiao Lei, Science and Technology Director of Alibaba Cloud Energy Consumption Cloud, and Deng Zhu, Algorithm Engineer attended the opening ceremony. On the morning of August 5, this summer camp was successfully closed. Professor Guan Dabo, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, UK and Professor of Basic Science in Tsinghua University, and Professor Liang Xi, Vice President of the School of Sustainable Construction of University College London jointly conferred the "Best Team Award" and "Best Individual Award" for the 5th CEADs Summer Camp.

This summer camp organized Master Lectures, providing students with opportunities to interact with many academicians and experts, including Su Jilan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor of the Second Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dai Minhan, Academician of the CAS and Chief Scientist of Fujian Institute of Marine Sustainable Development, He Kebin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the Carbon Neutralization Research Institute, Tsinghua University, and Cao Long, Vice President and Professor of the School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Shi Minjun, Director and Professor of the Research Center for Urban Development and Low-carbon Strategy, Zhejiang University; Jun Bi, Director and Professor of the State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse of the School of Environment, Nanjing University; Guan Dabo, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, UK and Professor of Basic Science of Tsinghua University; Xia Yang, Senior Academic Editor of Nature, among others. Experts gave in-depth and high-levels lectures on the theoretical basis and cutting-edge progress of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, providing students with a comprehensive, systematic and scientific understanding.

Over 120 campers in this summer camp were divided into 16 groups with six themes: urban carbon accounting, emerging economies carbon accounting, input-output analysis, corporate carbon accounting and product carbon footprint, to study and practice the theories and methods of carbon emission accounting at different scales. In addition, this summer camp also arranged many wonderful practical activities, for example, leading campers to visit the Nanhu Revolutionary Memorial Hall in Jiaxing on the occasion of the Army Day for theme education activities, relive the spirit of the Red Boat and sharpen their ambition to serve the country; visiting the Xiaoshan District International Talent Club to experience intangible heritage culture and appreciate the strength of talents; visiting the Alibaba Yungu Park to learn about the application of cloud computing in the field of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”.

Jiang Ke, a doctoral student from the College of Urban and Environmental Science, Peking University, commented, “The CEADs Summer Camp has left me with unforgettable memories. During this valuable journey of learning, I have not only acquired a deep understanding of the theory and technology of carbon accounting such as the input-output method and trade carbon transmission but also realized the importance of work for tackling climate change and the urgency of global cooperation. During the summer camp, we were lucky enough to attend the lectures of many experts and scholars. These academics and industry leaders rendered wonderful lectures, sharing their profound academic attainments and rich practical experience. From them, I not only learned professional knowledge, but also felt their passion and persistence in scientific research. Their lectures have not only imparted knowledge, but also inspired my love and sense of responsibility for the environmental field.”

“In the precious journey of the 2023 CEADs Summer Camp, I was influenced by many masters in scientific research, benefiting a lot from the perception of their persistence and passion for research. Under the guidance of masters and peer tutors, I systematically studied the theoretical knowledge of carbon emission accounting and put into practice the theories I had learned. In the process of carbon emission accounting for emerging economies, I was acquainted with like-minded group members and outstanding senior students. Every day, we learned from each other and inspired each other, making progress together in a congenial atmosphere. We cherish the precious platform provided by CEADs, the knowledge we have learned and the friendship we have acquired,” said Zhao Wenxin, a doctoral student from the School of Environment, Nanjing University.

“Ten days ago, I had never thought these days would be so gorgeous and wonderful. During this amazing journey, I acquired a wealth of knowledge about carbon emission accounting, and above all got to know a group of like-minded friends, with whom I enjoyed the splendor and pleasure of learning. In the lectures of academicians and experts, I seemed to be drawn into a compass of mysteries. With a flick of fingers, myriad data and scientific theories interweave into a magnificent roll of pictures in my mind. What I also cherish and would never forget are the friends I met in the summer camp, with whom I have developed a cordial relationship as if they were family members. The study tour to learn the revolutionary past in South Lake, the fascinating water gun fight and the warm team dinner, every moment I felt the warmth and cohesion of our team. Every interaction and every smile have been connected into a roll of happy film, fixed in the bright spot of my memory. In a blink of an eye, the summer camp is coming to an end. On the way back, I will be blessed with a sense of fulfillment, and my thoughts will drift back to the afternoon ten days ago to review this wonderful journey,” said Guo Hanzhong, an undergraduate from Macau University of Science and Technology.

Guan Dabo, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), UK and Professor of Basic Science, Tsinghua University, noted, “The success of this summer camp is inseparable from the vigorous support and co-sponsorship of the Beijing Office of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, as well as the full support of the Talent Office of the Organization Department of Hangzhou Municipal Committee, Xiaoshan District Talent Office and Alibaba Cloud Computing Company.” This summer camp has not only implemented the spirit for realizing the “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” goals, but also helped to cultivate “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” professionals with a global vision. Above all, the summer camp stood as a good opportunity to pool top experts and scholars from all over the world to visit and integrate into Hangzhou and promote Hangzhou. This summer camp has set up a public platform for outstanding students from all over China to learn and exchange carbon data and research related to climate change. Meanwhile, the summer camp has, by enriching campers’ theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of carbon accounting, trained compound professionals with relevant knowledge and practical experience in carbon accounting, thus promoting the development of China in the field of carbon accounting and contributing to achieving the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.