Managing China’s Petcoke Problem

When and Where

17/06/2015
2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Wenjin Hotel
South Gate of Tsinghua University, Chengfu Road,Haidian District, Beijing, 100084 China
Beijing
China
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Managing China's Petcoke Problem | Carnegie Tsinghua Center for Global Policy

Event Details

China must address the negative environmental impact of petcoke, an inexpensive but dirty alternative to coal, if the country’s efforts to manage carbon emissions are to be effective.

Petroleum coke (petcoke), a by-product of petroleum refining that is high in contaminants, has quietly emerged in China as an inexpensive but environmentally harmful alternative to coal. Although the Chinese government is committed to reducing coal consumption for environmental reasons, knowledge about the negative environmental impact of petcoke is not yet widespread. If the country’s efforts to reduce air pollution are to be effective, petcoke’s contribution to carbon emissions must be addressed.

Carnegie–Tsinghua’s Wang Tao will present his findings on how China can mitigate the effects of petcoke pollution. Then Richard Xie will moderate a discussion with Mao Xianqiang and Conway Irwin exploring the implications of, and policy responses to, China’s growing use of petcoke and the country’s ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Please note that this event is not open to the media.

WANG TAO

Wang Tao is an expert on climate and energy issues and runs a program at the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy that examines China’s climate and energy policies, with particular attention to transportation and international climate negotiations.

RICHARD XIE

Richard Xie is the associate director of external affairs for the Paulson Institute’s China office. He previously worked for the Economist Group and for Dow Jones International.

MAO XIANQIANG

Mao Xianqiang is a professor of environmental studies at Beijing Normal University. His research centers on how China manages its environmental policy and related economic policies.

CONWAY IRWIN

Conway Irwin is as an environmental affairs specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. She previously worked as an energy markets analyst for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

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