On September 6–7, 2025, the 2nd International Conference on Carbon Neutrality was successfully held in Shanghai. The conference was hosted by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics, organized by the journal Carbon Neutrality (2024 Impact Factor: 12.5, Q1), co-organized by the University of Edinburgh. It is sponsored by the Asian Union of Thermal Science and Engineering (AUTSE), Shanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center, China-UK Low Carbon College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and School of Mechanical Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
The two-day event brought together more than 200 experts and scholars from over ten countries, including China, the UK, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Germany. With more than 170 paper submissions, the conference provided a high-level platform for dialogue on cutting-edge technologies and policies in the field of carbon neutrality.
At the opening ceremony on September 6, distinguished guests in attendance included: Prof. Xinhe Bao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Former President of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Fudan University; Prof. Hongguang Jin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Honorary President of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics, Honorary Editor-in-Chief of Carbon Neutrality; Prof. Peixue Jiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Vice President of Tsinghua University; Deputy Director Minglin Zhu, Shanghai Municipal Development & Reform Commission; Prof. Xing Zhang from Tsinghua University; Prof. Yong Tae Kang, Academician of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, Korea University; Prof. Margaret Graham, the University of Edinburgh; Qibin Liu, Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, CAS. The opening ceremony was chaired by Prof. Changying Zhao, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Carbon Neutrality and Distinguished Chair Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.Prof. Hao Hu, Assistant to the President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of SJTU.
Prof. Hao Hu pointed out that the conference would foster dialogue on topics including low-carbon energy, ecosystem carbon sinks and environmental governance, carbon finance, and carbon management, while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing international exchange. Academician Jin highlighted the mission of engineering thermophysics in driving low-carbon development, while Deputy Director Zhu underscored Shanghai’s ongoing efforts in energy restructuring, green transportation, carbon trading, and innovation in climate governance.
Over two days, the conference featured six plenary lectures, ten keynote lectures, 37 invited talks, 95 oral presentations, and 19 posters. The Roundtable of Top Journal Editors was specially set up. Chaired by Prof. Zhao, it brought together senior editors from leading journals to discuss the future of scholarly publishing and academic frontiers in carbon neutrality research. The event also presented the Excellent Young Scholar Award for Carbon Neutrality, 2022-2023 Highly Cited Paper Award of Carbon Neutrality, Outstanding Youth Editorial Board Member Award of Carbon Neutrality, and Best Paper Award.
As an international academic event, the 2nd International Conference on Carbon Neutrality successfully showcased the latest scientific and technological advances in carbon neutrality, fostered interdisciplinary integration, and strengthened international cooperation. The conference has further contributed to advancing worldwide efforts toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.
(This conference was supported by the “2025 SJTU International Conference Collaboration Support Project for English Journals”.)
Written by Zhang Yiwen and Li Bowen
Editor on Duty: Yan Cheng