Prof. XU Huaqing

XU Huaqing is an expert in energy, environment, and climate change strategy and policy. He currently serves as Chief Scientist at the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC). XU joined the Communist Party of China in January 1986. He graduated in Thermal Engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology and in Environmental Engineering from Tsinghua University; he completed in service graduate studies and holds a Master of Engineering degree. He began his professional career in July 1988, focusing on energy–environment issues and climate change strategy and policy.
From 2003 to 2011, XU was a Research Fellow at the Energy Research Institute (ERI) of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), serving as Director of the Center for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Research and as Assistant Director of ERI. From December 2011 to January 2018 he served as Deputy Director of NCSC, and from January 2018 to May 2024 he was Director of NCSC.
XU has led a number of major national projects, including the State Office for Addressing Climate Change’s Research on China’s National Program for Addressing Climate Change, and he was Chief Scientist for the Ministry of Science and Technology’s National Basic Research Program (973 Program) project Targets, Pathways and Support Systems for China’s 2020 Greenhouse Gas Control. His published books include Research on China’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Environmental Constraints on China’s Energy Development, and Comprehensive Study on Controlling China’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions during the Twelfth Five Year Plan.
In 1997, XU was recommended by relevant Chinese government departments as a Lead Author for the IPCC Third Assessment Report and later served as a Review Editor for the Fourth Assessment Report. In recognition of his contribution to the IPCC’s work, he received the certificate associated with the IPCC’s share of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Since 2000 he has taken part in the Chinese government delegation to UN climate negotiations and participated in expert group work related to those negotiations.