Academic invited to help develop China’s offshore renewable energy revolution

Professor Lars Johanning has been invited as International Co-Chair to lead an expert group exploring China’s future use of ocean energy
Dadonghai Recreational Beach at Sanya, Hainan Province, China, Asia. Aerial View of Coastal Landscape with Hotels, Resorts and Apartment Buildings.
Professor Lars Johanning, from the University of Plymouth, has been invited to co-lead an international collaboration that aims to inform China’s work to develop a sustainable blue economy.
The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is developing its broad vision of the role the ocean can play in the country’s carbon neutral aspirations.
It is currently conducting a Special Policy Study on Ocean Governance and within that, there is a task team focusing specifically on the country’s future use of ocean energy.
Professor Johanning, Professor of Ocean Technology, has been invited to co-chair that task team, alongside Professor Lin Cui from the National Ocean Technology Centre.
Professor Deborah Greaves OBE FREng is also among its membership, with the team including representatives from other University partners including ORE Catapult and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).
Along with experts from China, Portugal and Norway, the team will identify existing policy gaps and needs for solutions that address climate change and biodiversity shift in ocean energy sectors.
The work is being designed to contribute towards China’s carbon neutrality while at the same time ensuring protection of the marine environment.
Professor Johanning has long-standing links with organisation in China focused on ocean energy research.

Climate change is a global challenge and China’s energy transition towards 2050 will be a major, influential factor dealing with this challenge. It is predicted that China will further strengthen its position as the world’s largest player in renewable technologies and that it will undergo a massive transformation of its energy system. Ocean energy is a major player in this transition, and it is important to enable the usage of this resources in a sustainable manner. The CCICED Special Policy Study on Ocean Governance will bring together Chinese and international experts to advise on sustainable measures, and I am honoured to be chosen to co-lead on the Task Team II – Ocean Energy.

Lars JohanningLars Johanning
Professor of Ocean Technology

Through his involvement in the work, Professor Johanning has been invited to attend a roundtable event organised by the CCICED in Hainan Province.
He will speak about the importance of fostering a sustainable blue economy, and share the microphone with national and state government officials, representative from the United Nations, and a number of national ambassadors to China.
Professor Lars Johanning attended an event organised by CCICED in China around the country's use of ocean energy
 

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

The Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy (C-DORE) brings together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Its work aligns to UK Government strategy and supports the substantial opportunity the city and region now has to engage with the agendas for the South West.