On 6 June, the launch ceremony of the Regional Centre of Expertise Ningbo on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE Ningbo), along with the forum on “Ningbo’s Sustainable Future: Collaborative Innovation for Local Sustainability" were held at Dongqian Lake, Ningbo. At the event, RCE Ningbo—established by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)—was officially inaugurated, marking the beginning of this international platform.
The launch ceremony highlighted RCE Ningbo's three future initiatives, spanning industrial upgrading, technological integration, and youth empowerment. As a key component of the ESG-Enabled Sustainable Development Project for the Manufacturing Sector, the Digital Platform for ESG Assessment for Manufacturing Enterprises was officially unveiled. Additionally, the joint announcement with Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables Co., Ltd. introduced the Supply Chain ESG Enhancement Initiative (Blue Carbon Programme 2.0).
In parallel, through the smart Automobile Co., Ltd. sustainability partnership, RCE Ningbo will host a Sustainable Vehicle Retrofitting Competition. Furthermore, with funding from OHFI Asset Management, RCE Ningbo plans to collaborate with multiple universities in Ningbo to launch the 'AI for Sustainable Futures' Competition. This initiative will focus on AI-driven solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aims to cultivate interdisciplinary innovation talent.
During the ceremony, UNNC and the Ningbo Branch of Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding on ESG Finance Cooperation, marking a new chapter of cross-sector collaboration among academia, finance, and industry.
At the event, Professor Jon Garibaldi, Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor at UNNC, emphasised that sustainability is at the core of the university’s values and strategy. The accreditation of RCE Ningbo reinforces UNNC’s commitment to advancing sustainability education and fostering impactful, cross-sector collaboration through localised models.
Ms Miki Konishi, a representative of the United Nations University (UNU), highlighted the importance of collective efforts in building resilient, inclusive communities. She noted the symbolic significance of RCE Ningbo’s 2025 launch, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the global RCE network, and welcomed Ningbo’s unique contributions to sustainability practices.
Dr Yuan Yu, Deputy Director and Party Member of the Ningbo Development and Reform Commission, stated: "Sustainability is embedded in Ningbo’s urban DNA. We’ve pioneered a multi-tiered green manufacturing system, and RCE Ningbo will accelerate our global integration and green transition."
The establishment of RCE Ningbo is not merely a milestone for UNNC in sustainability education but a pivotal step in Ningbo's integration into global sustainability networks. Professor Jing Dai, Director of RCE Ningbo, remarked: "Sustainability is not a checkbox, but a paradigm shift. Here in Ningbo, we are uniquely positioned to demonstrate that economic growth and ecological health can coexist, and that innovation can be firmly rooted in ethics."
Officially accredited by the United Nations University as China's tenth Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) , RCE Ningbo will serve as a regional hub—integrating international expertise in sustainability education with local resources—to develop a model that blends Ningbo’s distinctive strengths with global competitiveness.
The RCE network, initiated and accredited by the United Nations University (UNU), promotes global sustainability through collaboration and innovation between industry and academia. To date, nearly 200 RCEs have been certified worldwide. On 20 December 2024, the application submitted by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)’s Centre for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) was formally approved by UNU.