Beijing—The Paulson Institute launched the Paulson Dialogues, a series of roundtable discussions, papers and government engagement, to explore how market forces within China can efficiently allocate energy resources to reduce carbon emissions. The series, which will roll out over the course of 2015, is designed to explore policy options in support of the Chinese government’s efforts to address air quality and economic growth together.
The first Paulson Dialogues, under the title Stronger Markets, Cleaner Air, kicked off in Beijing during the first two weeks of June, with four roundtable discussions built around papers developed by the Institute and top experts in energy efficiency, sustainable buildings and green finance.
“These dialogues bring together top experts from China and the United States to delve deeply into concrete and technical solutions for China’s air quality problems,” said Elle Carberry, managing director of the Institute’s Climate Change and Air Quality Program. “The combined expertise of the authors and the people participating in the dialogues will drive policy recommendations that support China’s efforts to reduce pollution while continuing to promote economic growth.”
“The Paulson Institute believes economic growth is stronger and more sustainable when it is anchored by comprehensive environmental and climate policies,” said Kate Gordon, the Institute’s vice chair of Climate and Sustainable Cities. “And these dialogues aim to explore environmental and energy issues through the prism of what will also work economically.”
“This process of bringing experts together in dialogue, resulting in a series of Stronger Markets, Cleaner Air policy papers, will bring fresh and independent insights to help China achieve its economic and environmental goals,” said Madame YIN Yuangping, Vice Chairman of China Enterprises Confederation and Chairman of Chinese Enterprise Management Science Foundation, which provided organizational support for the series.
The Stronger Markets, Cleaner Air series includes a background report, a series of policy dialogues and four policy papers to be published in coming months, focusing on Power Sector Reform, Electric Power Demand Response, Building Energy Disclosure and Carbon Emissions Trading. Each paper will be co-authored by experts and will provide insights on policy areas that are prioritized by the Chinese government.
About the Paulson Institute: The Paulson Institute is a “think and do” tank that promotes environmental protection and sustainable development in the United States and China, while advancing bilateral economic relations and cross-border investment. Established in 2011 by Henry M. Paulson, Jr., the Institute is committed to the principle that today’s most pressing economic and environmental challenges can be solved only if the United States and China work in complementary ways.
The nonpartisan, independent Institute works at the nexus of economic and environmental issues in the United States and China. Its programs in China focus on improving climate and air quality, advancing environmental conservation and promoting sustainable cities. The Institute’s Think Tank publishes papers on the most important macroeconomic issues facing China today, energy strategies and issues in US-China relations. The Institute promotes bilateral cross-border investment that will improve US-China relations and help create jobs, and works to reduce economic risk from climate change. The Institute is headquartered at the University of Chicago and has offices in Washington and Beijing.