Artificial Intelligence Fuels Green Transition at Zhongguancun Forum 2025
Experts emphasize AI's pivotal role in enhancing sustainability and achieving carbon neutrality goals in China and beyond.
At the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum, experts underscored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in facilitating green industrial upgrades and promoting global sustainable development.
The Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Science and Technology Forum served as a platform for key discussions on these matters.
Ding Chibiao, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated that AI is fundamentally reshaping energy systems and is crucial to China's objectives of reaching peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. "AI is a cornerstone of innovation for future energy structures, driving green transitions," Ding remarked, highlighting the technology’s vital role in advancing the nation’s dual carbon goals.
Ding further revealed that the integration of AI has already enhanced operational efficiency in high-carbon sectors, including chemicals, aligning with a strategic action plan promulgated by the academy in 2022 to support these carbon initiatives.
He emphasized the need for intensified interdisciplinary collaboration to further develop AI-enabled low-carbon energy solutions.
Ye Mao, a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the academy, elaborated on recent advancements in AI-driven chemical engineering.
Since 2016, Liu Zhongmin, the institute's director, has led efforts to apply AI in this sector.
Notably, in the past year, they introduced Chem-ELLM, a large model designed for autonomous chemical process design, and subsequently upgraded it to Chem-ELLM 2.0 in November.
Ye stated, "The new version significantly improves capabilities in catalysis, safety, and foundational chemistry, broadening industrial applicability." To date, over 50 chemical companies have begun testing this model, and its adoption continues to expand.
However, he acknowledged that traditional engineering practices and collaborative efforts between AI and human expertise will remain vital throughout this transition.
"Building an intelligent chemical ecosystem requires time, but it will boost efficiency, safety, and support China's energy revolution," Ye added.
During the International Forum on Sciences for Sustainable Development, which aligns with UNESCO's International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033), global experts assessed the role of digital technology in attaining the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Guo Huadong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, introduced the Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development.
This initiative aims to harness AI, big data, the Internet of Things, and space technology to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty.
Guo stated, "Digital tools are key to optimizing energy use, cutting emissions, and improving resource management." The initiative promotes the creation of global platforms for sharing digital resources, merging technology with policymaking, and enhancing public literacy on sustainability.
Emphasizing the contributions from China, Guo noted that the SDGSAT-1, the world’s first satellite dedicated to supporting the 2030 Agenda, has provided over 420,000 datasets to 104 countries since its inception in 2021. This data has been instrumental in monitoring urban heat islands, evaluating emissions, and enhancing disaster response mechanisms.
The Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Science and Technology Forum served as a platform for key discussions on these matters.
Ding Chibiao, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated that AI is fundamentally reshaping energy systems and is crucial to China's objectives of reaching peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. "AI is a cornerstone of innovation for future energy structures, driving green transitions," Ding remarked, highlighting the technology’s vital role in advancing the nation’s dual carbon goals.
Ding further revealed that the integration of AI has already enhanced operational efficiency in high-carbon sectors, including chemicals, aligning with a strategic action plan promulgated by the academy in 2022 to support these carbon initiatives.
He emphasized the need for intensified interdisciplinary collaboration to further develop AI-enabled low-carbon energy solutions.
Ye Mao, a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the academy, elaborated on recent advancements in AI-driven chemical engineering.
Since 2016, Liu Zhongmin, the institute's director, has led efforts to apply AI in this sector.
Notably, in the past year, they introduced Chem-ELLM, a large model designed for autonomous chemical process design, and subsequently upgraded it to Chem-ELLM 2.0 in November.
Ye stated, "The new version significantly improves capabilities in catalysis, safety, and foundational chemistry, broadening industrial applicability." To date, over 50 chemical companies have begun testing this model, and its adoption continues to expand.
However, he acknowledged that traditional engineering practices and collaborative efforts between AI and human expertise will remain vital throughout this transition.
"Building an intelligent chemical ecosystem requires time, but it will boost efficiency, safety, and support China's energy revolution," Ye added.
During the International Forum on Sciences for Sustainable Development, which aligns with UNESCO's International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024-2033), global experts assessed the role of digital technology in attaining the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Guo Huadong, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, introduced the Beijing Initiative on Digital Science and Technology for Sustainable Development.
This initiative aims to harness AI, big data, the Internet of Things, and space technology to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty.
Guo stated, "Digital tools are key to optimizing energy use, cutting emissions, and improving resource management." The initiative promotes the creation of global platforms for sharing digital resources, merging technology with policymaking, and enhancing public literacy on sustainability.
Emphasizing the contributions from China, Guo noted that the SDGSAT-1, the world’s first satellite dedicated to supporting the 2030 Agenda, has provided over 420,000 datasets to 104 countries since its inception in 2021. This data has been instrumental in monitoring urban heat islands, evaluating emissions, and enhancing disaster response mechanisms.
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