Li Meng: Navigating carbon footprints and policy pathways

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Editor's Note

For over a century, Tsinghua University has been a hub for cultivating exceptional talents, including those who have made significant contributions to various fields through their intellectual pursuits. Join us as we explore the stories of these outstanding young scholars in our new series, DocTalk. From innovative ideas to groundbreaking research,we'll showcase the diverse range of achievements of these young minds who are studying or studied at Tsinghua University. Meet Li Meng, who has researched significantly in the fields of clean energy transition, global value chains, and climate policy.  Join us as we delve into the insights and impact of Li Meng's work, uncovering the visionary mind behind her relentless pursuit of a more sustainableand equitable future for all.

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DocTalk: Unveiling Visionary Minds at Tsinghua University

Dr. Li Meng, an alumna of Tsinghua University, currently serves as an assistant professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Her research interests focus on several key areas, including low-carbon economics, climate policies, and integrated analysis of global value chains’ interaction with climate and human society.

 Li Meng

Li's academic journey follows a distinctive path. She pursued a major in mathematics and physics during her undergraduate studies, complemented by a dual degree in economics. Later on, when pursuing her Ph.D., she decided to delve into the field of management.

02

Quest confirmed: unwavering research direction

During her doctoral studies, Li Meng developed a burning passion for climate change and its humanistic dimensions. While researching on income inequality, she uncovered that the disparities individuals face in the context of climate change and its associated consequences are significantly larger than previously recognized. Such findings prompted her to focus on the field of environmental studies, specifically in areas related to climate change mitigation in the era of global value chains.

Currently, Li’s work encompasses both technical and policy aspects. She is currently investigating the issue of carbon embodied in global value chains. This entails examining technical elements such as tracing the flow of carbon emissions through multiregional modelling and empirical analysis. Her studies also delve into the policy dimensions, exploring strategies to mitigate carbon leakage. Additionally, she analyses the impact of clean energy policies on the health and well-being of the population.  To contribute to the development of effective and balanced policies that can effectively tackle climate challenges, she seeks to bridge theoretical analysis and real-world applications.

 Li Meng's Life Photo

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Harmonizing clean energy transition

One of Li's academic contributions revolves around the clean energy transition of rural households in China. This research brings attention to the trade-offs associated with a particular policy. From a health perspective, the adoption of clean energy has significant health benefits—traditional energy sources such as fuelwood and biomass contribute to indoor air pollution that can lead to adverse health effects.

However, it is also essential to recognize that the clean energy transition can also burden many impoverished households, potentially leading to energy poverty. By recognizing and addressing these trade-offs, Li Meng emphasizes the need for a balanced approach in policy-making. She advocates for policies that carefully consider both the positive and negative consequences that take into account the specific needs of vulnerable individuals.

Simultaneously, she emphasizes the necessity of improving education and training programs to elevate individuals' skill levels, empowering them to adapt to the ever-changing economic landscape. She firmly believes that the establishment of more equal societies and the enhancement of our capacity to address climate change are of paramount importance for the overall well-being of society as a whole.

 Li Meng at a conference

04

Unearthing carbon footprint disparities

Taking a macroscopic perspective, Li Meng conducted comparisons between different regions and discovered that consumption in developed regions results in substantial carbon footprints. Nevertheless, the consequences are often borne by relatively underdeveloped regions rather than the affluent ones themselves. For instance, while fossil fuels are burned in Shanxi, the products are consumed by residents of other provinces or cities.

In response to this phenomenon, Li Meng advocates for a more balanced economy and more scientific emission responsibilities shared by different regions. These measures aim to mitigate imbalances between various areas.

05

Global climate imperatives: Li Meng's vision for collective responsibility

On a global scale, Li Meng points out that the situation aligns with what was previously mentioned. When comparing the production side and consumption side of the global value chains, it shows that the mitigation responsibilities of developed countries primarily lie on the consumption side, while the responsibilities of developing countries primarily rest on the production side.

As global value chains and trade networks grow increasingly intricate, the issue of carbon emissions crossing country borders becomes more complex, leading to the challenges of carbon leakage, posing challenges to identifying emission responsibilities for all participants in the world production system.

Li Meng highlights the significance of adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Developed countries should take the lead in reducing emissions, acknowledging their historical responsibilities and making earnest efforts in this regard. In the case of developing countries, emphasis should be placed on nationally determined contributions.

China has set climate targets, for instance, the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. While these targets undoubtedly come with challenges, they also unlock a world of possibilities. Inspired by China's proposal of the carbon neutrality target, many countries have also embarked on their own paths toward carbon neutrality. This growing global momentum demonstrates the potential for collective action and collaboration, including shared green technologies and financial support.

These channels foster innovation and enable countries to accelerate their transition towards sustainable practices. “It is essential to reach a consensus on cooperation among countries in international negotiations and summit forums,” concluded Li. 

06

Journey of Inquiry

During her research journey, Li Meng faced her fair share of challenges and obstacles. Similar to other researchers, one of the common challenges Li faces is the quest to find the right questions in her research. It is crucial to determine the significance and relevance of the research topic at hand. This process involves careful consideration of the broader implications and potential contributions of the research.

Fortunately, Li Meng has found a commendable balance between research, teaching, and spending time with her family and friends. This equilibrium has proven to be immensely advantageous for her research endeavours, providing a foundation of support and inspiration.

07

Tsinghua's Transformation

Having spent 12 years at Tsinghua University,  Li Meng acknowledges the numerous positive changes the institution has undergone, particularly in terms of academic resources and infrastructure. She also observes that Tsinghua University has become increasingly internationalized, with ample options for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students.

Most notably, Li Meng appreciates its spirit—characterized by perpetual youthfulness, optimism, a willingness to explore new ideas, and a commitment to constant innovation. She agrees that this spirit will remain aligned with the ever-changing times we live in.

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TsinghuaRen | Navigating carbon footprints and policy pathways: Insights from Li Meng

Writer: Grace Hii

Editors: Huang Fei , Gillian Tang

Designer: Grace Hii

Reviewers: Xu Liang, Lin Yuan