Author / Lu Lei

On 5 December 2018, delegates of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) are meeting the chairman of Indian TERRE Policy Center Dr. Rajendra Shende at the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP24), to discuss the launching of ‘Smart Campus Cloud Network’ (SCCN) next January in Beijing, as part of the global Climate Emergency Plan to confront the challenges imposed by climate change.

‘Smart Campus Cloud Network’ (SCCN) is a flagship project of TERRE Policy Centre of India, keenly supported by UNESCO-Paris. SCCN aims to facilitate colleges and universities to mainstream the future policy-makers and policy-implementers in implementing the SDGs, by promoting the sharing of information on transformative actions undertaken by students and faculties on campus. More importantly, it encourages the deploying of digital technologies like IoT (Internet of Thing), AI (Artificial Intelligence), Cloud-networking, Machine-to-machine learning and Block chain, for the optimum use of energy and water on campus. Meanwhile, SCCN also catalyzes environmentally friendly actions within the campus including effective waste management, sustainable transport, air pollution control and nature conservation.

Recently, Peking University (PKU) Shenzhen in China has also joined the network, thus representing an important milestone in the journey of SCCN. As one topmost educational institution, Peking University (PKU) Shenzhen pledges that, by becoming a member of this network of the universities, it will aim to contribute to the United Nations Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). PKU is now part of the family of 60 universities and their numerous campuses, including those from India, Portugal, Brazil, Japan, Peru, Bhutan. This landmark heralds the beginning of a game-changing future for ecological civilization that will connect those who matter, i.e. the youth from the universities. Moreover, it also symbolizes the aspiration of an emerging China, which is striving to connect to international institutes to roll out ecological development in all its dimension and a variety of policies and measures.

‘Each campus is the educational and natural heritage of the mankind. Leveraging that wealth and treasure for the innovations for a smart future means contributing to President Xi’s dream of open and inclusive development’ , said the Secretary-General of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, who would be the mentor to SCCN in China.

“Keeping in line with the fundamental principle and teachings of President Xi on developing a shared future of ecological civilization, Peking University (PKU) Shenzhen is excited to join the international movement of networking with universities through SCCN,” said Dr. Wu Yundong, Chancellor of PKU Shenzhen.

“TERRE is profoundly pleased to welcome PKU Shenzhen in its ecological and development initiative of SCCN. The use of Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics would benefit PKU Shenzhen campus, and enable it to become a world-wide example of Laboratory of SDGs”, said Dr. Rajendra Shende, Chairman of TERRE.

This year’s Katowice Climate Change Convention has been remarked by many as the most important convention on climate issues since the Paris Agreement. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s October report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C and emission pathways leading to the achievement of this goal clearly understates the emergency of actioning for climate change. Hence, one of the priorities of COP24 would be to decide on the implementation procedures of the 1.5°C target, thus providing a definitive action plan for the Parties to follow in the coming years.

Yet it has also been widely acknowledged that the prospect for reaching the 1.5°C target is gloomy. Therefore, it is highly essential immediate emergency-speed action be taken to end the use of fossil fuels, reduce the emission of greenhouse gas pollutants and develop large carbon-drawdown capacity. As a leading nonprofitable government organization dedicated to environmental protection, CBCGDF’s co-launching of the SCCN project with TERRE Policy Center is another exemplification of CBCGDF’s persistent and responsible commitments to the developing of a low-carbon lifestyle and the construction of ecological civilization, for the realization of the UN sustainable development goals and the wellbeing of mankind!

For details on SCCN, please see: www.sccnhub.com

Contacts:

Peking University: Chengpeng1618@163.com

TERRE Policy Centre: Dinah.gengmei@asia.com

China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation: v1@cbcgdf.org

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)