Organized by the CUHK Institute of Environment, Energy and Sustainability, Department of Geography and Resource Management, the Professional Association for China’s Environment, Tsinghua University, Peking University and the Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the ‘Conference on the Forty Years of Environmental Protection in China’ was held from 3 to 5 January.

Prof. Qu Geping (photo), aka ‘Father of Environmental Protection in China’, was invited to deliver the opening address to review the past forty years from the perspectives of social and economic background, environmental protection roadmap and major lessons. Academician Qin Dahe from the China Meteorological Administration reported on the progress of climate sciences and analyzed the relationship between climate change and environmental protection. Academician Hao Jiming from Tsinghua University overviewed air quality management and discussed the situations of various polluting sources and major pollutants. Academician Tao Shu from Peking University focused on the emissions and abatement of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and examined the impacts of mitigation efforts. Academician Wang Rusong from the Chinese Academy of Sciences described the coupling mechanisms of urban complex ecosystem and strategies for eco-city establishment and management. In addition, twenty-six scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, the US and Europe reviewed and projected environmental protection of China in their respective field. Sixty-eight postgraduate students from Hong Kong and mainland China participated in oral presentations or poster competition.