The talk will discuss key points from China Water Risk’s report “Toward a Water & Energy Secure China” released earlier this year. As one of the authors of this latest report, Hubert Thieriot will provide insight into the water risk exposure across China’s power landscape.

China’s waterscape is changing. Water risks in China, be they physical, economic or regulatory, have great social-economic impacts and are well recognized, especially those in China’s water-energy nexus. Today, 93% of power generation in China is water-reliant. In short, no water = no power and vice versa as we require power to clean, transport and distribute water. Water is also increasingly interlinked with climate issues and divergent trends in water use and resources indicate a thirstier future. Against this backdrop, China is still hungry for thirsty power with continuous economic growth and urbanisation. Can China manage this magnitude of power expansion with limited water resources?  Tough choices lie ahead.

The talk will discuss key points from China Water Risk’s report “Toward a Water & Energy Secure China” released earlier this year. This report builds on the initiative’s previous groundbreaking report collaborations with HSBC and CLSA on power generation and coal mining. As one of the authors of this latest report, Hubert Thieriot will provide insight into the water risk exposure across China’s power landscape. Strategies & challenges ahead on the path towards a water & energy secure China will also be explored. Can China manage the trade-offs between electricity generation, climate and water? With glaciers in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau shrinking 15% over the last three decades, the stakes are high. The future of China’s energy mix doesn’t just impact China; it has regional watershed implications and global climate ramifications. Join the discussion.

Hubert Thieriot focuses on issues pertaining to the water-energy nexus at China Water Risk, a Hong Kong based, non-profit initiative dedicated to addressing business & environmental risks arising from China’s water crisis. The initiative aims to foster efficient and responsible use of China’s water resources through its engagement with the global investment and business communities. Prior to China Water Risk, Thieriot was based in Beijing where he moved to from Europe upon realizing China’s pivotal role in global resource management and climate change mitigation in 2012. During his two years in the capital, he conducted research for the International Institute for Sustainable Development on international energy efficiency policies, low-carbon policies and China’s future trends including the circular economy. At the same time, Hubert also pursued a Master of Public Administration at Tsinghua University’s School of Public Policy & Management. Prior to Beijing, Hubert spent several years researching & lecturing on clean & renewable energy and industrial energy efficiency at institutions such as Mines Paris Tech, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne (EPFL) and Huazhong University of Science & Technology.

Advanced registration is not required.