Centre for Low Carbon Economy and Scientific Innovation

The Research Center for Low-Carbon Economy and Scientific Innovation at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (hereinafter referred to as the "Research Center") is one of the first municipal-level new-type key professional think tanks in Ningbo, serving as a high-level decision-making consultation platform that integrates strategic, academic, and practical dimensions. The Research Center adheres to a problem-oriented approach, focusing on applied and policy-driven research. Leveraging the international research strengths of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, it concentrates on three key pillars: strategic pathways for carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions, innovation ecosystem support for technology enterprises, and effectiveness evaluation of industrial policy implementation. The Research Center actively engages in forward-looking, targeted, and preparatory research. Its aim is to fully contribute to strategic decision-making consultation for regional socio-economic development, particularly for Ningbo, providing insights and solutions for the city’s development as a modern coastal metropolis, the integrated growth of the Yangtze River Delta, and the national green transformation.

The Centre focuses on key interdisciplinary areas of the low-carbon economy and technological innovation, conducting forward-looking policy research to provide strategies for regional innovation development.

1.Academic Research and Awards

• On September 25, 2025, the research report "Research on Policy Focus Points for Accelerating the Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce" completed by Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping received the Ningbo City 19th (2023–2024) Outstanding Achievement Award in Philosophy and Social Sciences.

• On November 5, 2025, the scientific and technological achievement "Multi-Dimensional Holographic Profiling Technology and Its Application for Technology Enterprises Based on Ai and Big Data," with Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping as the primary contributor, received the 2024 Ningbo Science and Technology Progress Award (Second Prize). This is the first Science and Technology Progress Award led by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China to date.

• On December 1, 2025, the monograph "Technology Finance—Empowering Innovation and Sustainable Development," with Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping as the first author, was published by Zhejiang Science and Technology Press.

• On December 8, 2025, Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping participated as a sub-project leader in the National Social Science Major Project "Research on the Relationship Between Monetary Credit Expansion, Inflation, and Economic Growth (25&ZD129)."

2.Policy Research and Decision-Making Adoption

• On October 27, 2025, the research report "Accelerating the Construction of a New Pattern for International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation," completed by Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping, was adopted by the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association (CNDCA) for use in high-level provincial consultation meetings.

• On October 27, 2025, three social condition and public opinion reports authored by Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping—"Solving the Problem of Duplicate Data Reporting by Enterprises in Government Affairs," "Encouraging SMEs to Participate in National Major Science and Technology Projects," and "Standardizing the Disposal Mechanism for Cryptocurrencies Involved in Cases"—were adopted by the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CNDCA.

• On October 27, 2025, the research report "Improving the Science and Technology Financial Service System to Promote the Innovation and Development of Future Industries," completed by Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping, was adopted by the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CNDCA and submitted to the CNDCA Central Committee as research material for a project.

• On December 1, 2025, the report "The Situation, Risks, and Countermeasures for Chinese Enterprises Issuing Bonds Overseas," with Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping as the first author, was adopted by the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology.

3.Public Influence and Media Outreach

• On October 24, 2025, Think Tank expert panel member Cao Cong was interviewed by Caixin Net for the article "Why China Still Has Few Nobel Prizes in Natural Sciences."

• On November 6, 2025, Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping was invited to participate in the thematic event "Leveraging the Role of Science and Technology Finance to Safeguard the Development of New Quality Productive Forces," where she presented the Ningbo Technology Enterprise Financial Rating Model.

• On December 15, 2025, Think Tank Director Hua Xiuping was invited to attend the "2025 Free Trade Zone Development Forum" and delivered a keynote speech on "Sino-U.S. Trade Frictions and the Belt and Road Initiative" during the thematic session on "The Belt and Road Initiative, Industrial Upgrading, and International Cooperation Expansion."

4.Platform Development and Academic Exchange

• On November 25, 2025, as a co-organizer, the Think Tank held the "Green and Low-Carbon Academic Seminar."

• On December 20, 2025, as a co-organizer, the Think Tank held the "Exploring Carbon Neutrality and Agricultural Technology Development" research and study activity.

5.Organizational Development and Team Expansion

• In October 2025, the Think Tank held its first-year construction launch meeting, during which the first-year assessment indicators, standards for recognizing Think Tank achievements, and fund usage norms were clarified. Additionally, a new member (Professor Tan Hao) joined the Think Tank team.