Addressing Climate and Trade: Insights from the Carbon Economics Salon in Shenzhen

Unraveling the Intersection of Climate and Trade

The recent Carbon Economics Salon in Shenzhen, held on June 16, 2026, marked a significant convergence of academia, policy-making, and industry. This gathering, co-hosted by the Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) and the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at Peking University (ICN-PKU), attracted nearly a hundred attendees, highlighting the growing significance of climate-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in light of the upcoming APEC forestry ministerial meeting scheduled for July 27-28.

The central theme of the event, "Overcoming Obstacles to Ecological Governance of the Carbon Economy," underscored the intricate relationships among climate policy, trade practices, and emerging technologies. The discussions revolved around three primary interlinked challenges: unilateral climate-related trade measures, the uneven development of carbon markets, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in carbon governance. The topics discussed are expected to shape the agenda for APEC in November.

During the opening remarks, Piao Shilong, Vice President of Peking University and Dean of ICN-PKU, alongside Hai Wen, the founding Dean of PHBS, emphasized the urgent need for an inclusive global governance framework for carbon. They stressed that a cohesive strategy is crucial to align numerous stakeholders towards common ecological goals. Wang Pengfei, eminent professor at PKU and Dean of PHBS, further advocated for more efficient carbon pricing mechanisms and market-based tools.

A highlighting feature of the event was a plenary session led by Thomas J. Sargent, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences and Honorary Director of the Sargent Institute of Quantitative Economics and Finance at PHBS. Sargent pointed to the uncertainties surrounding climate change as a compelling reason to invest early in green R&D, emission reductions, and forest conservation efforts.

Jiang Kejun, a professor and leader of the Carbon Neutrality and Climate Change thrust at HKUST, mentioned that the period between 2030 and 2035 is critical for China's energy transition, driven by rapid advancements in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Wu Dengsheng, a professor at Shenzhen University, presented an overview of carbon economics research and highlighted that China ranks second globally in terms of research output related to carbon.

The salon also included two engaging panel sessions addressing unilateral climate measures' implications for global trade equity and discussions on carbon market cooperation with developing nations. As the discussions concluded, Zhang Haibin, a Boya Professor at PKU and Vice Dean of ICN-PKU, reiterated the importance of sustained interdisciplinary dialogue, emphasizing that the governance of carbon increasingly intersects with trade rules, technological advancements, and international collaboration.

Overall, the Carbon Economics Salon underscored a vital message: climate governance cannot operate in isolation from trade and economic considerations. The PHBS and ICN-PKU's ongoing collaboration paves the way for an integrated approach to global climate governance and supports China's dual carbon goals. As APEC economies strive to enhance their climate cooperation, the insights and discussions from this gathering are set to play a pivotal role in informing future actions and strategies.

In synthesis, this salon has not only tackled pressing questions at the interface of climate change and commerce but has also initiated dialogues essential for aligning policy frameworks and research agendas. The challenge remains for all stakeholders to work collaboratively to turn these discussions into actionable results.