Biomass is the fourth largest resource after coal, oil and natural gas, and is also a green and sustainable energy source. In the context of the "dual carbon" goals of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, it is of great significance to explore the high-value conversion and utilization of biomass resources to replace traditional energy and resources, as well as carbon sequestration and emission/pollution reduction, and provide safe food and clean water for human beings.
During 8-15 Dec. 2024, with the supports of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Key Collaborative Research Project of the Alliance of National and International Science Organizations (Technology R&D and Application Demonstration for Sustainable Development of Biomass Waste Recycling in Southeast Asian Countries), the “Training Course on Low Carbon Conversion Technologies and Applications of Biomass in the Belt and Road Countries” and the “International Symposium of ASEAN Countries on Biomass Conversion and its Applications in the Soil and Water” were successfully held by the Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), jointly organized by the Belt and Road Urban Environmental Health Alliance.
On 9 Dec.,The training course on “Training Course on Low Carbon Conversion Technologies and Applications of Biomass in the Belt and Road Countries” was opened, with experts and trainees from Belt and Road countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Cambodia, Ethiopia, and China participating in the training. Prof. WANG Yin from IUE-CAS hosted the opening ceremony. The invited experts including Academician ZHU Yongguan, Director of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of CAS; Prof. Franz Gatzweiler of the IUE-CAS; Associate Professor LYU Qingyang of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, CAS; Dr Daniel Tan Lee Tung of Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia; Prof. WANG Yin/Dr. LI Jie of IUE-CAS; Associate Professor LI Xiaoxin of Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, CAS; Associate Professor ZOU Xiaoyan, IUE-CAS; Prof. QIAO Min, the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of CAS; Associate Professor MENG Jun, Zhejiang University of Science & Technology; and Prof. XIE Zubin, the State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, CAS, gave lectures to about 300 participants online and offline, respectively. The topics contained waste management and soil health in sustainable urbanization, new systems science approach to UHWB, technology and practice of livestock and poultry manure composting, potential of biomass utilisation from forestry and agricultural sectors for high-value products in Sarawak, Malaysia, coproduction of carbon, heat and power by pyrolysis gasification of biomass wastes, farmland nutrient management theory and practices, soil plastic mulch pollution and preventive measures based on functional microorganisms and biochar, transmission and diffusion mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes in soil ecosystems. The trainees said that the training content closely matched the actual needs of their countries, and they hoped that the research could be brought to the local area to benefit the people.
During 13-14 Dec., Professors, researchers, and business representatives from different ASEAN countries were invited to give presentations on the International Symposium, including Prof. Alexander Mosqueda from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines, Dr. Hens Saputra from National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia, Dr. Song Han Lee from Green COP of Singapore, Dr. Daniel Tan Lee Tung and Dr Jiuan Jing Chew from Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia, Prof.QIAO Min from Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS, Prof.XIE Zubin from Institute of Soil Science, CAS, Prof. MENG Jun from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, and Prof. LIU Xuejiao from the IUE-CAS. In addition, young scholars from Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda and China signed up to participate in this symposium. The executive chairman of the symposium was Prof. WANG Yin from the IUE-CAS, and the meeting was chaired by Prof. LIU Xuejiao and Dr. LI Jie .
The experts participating in this international symposium systematically introduced the research frontiers and hot spots of biomass valorization, such as the preparation of sustainable energy and resources from biomass, carbon sequestration and emission reduction of biochar in soil applications, its remediation of heavy metals and influence mechanism on the transmission and diffusion of resistance genes in soils, as well as the development of functional activated carbon materials from biomass and their applications in water purification. The participants showed high interest in the presented contents, and the discussion was fierce.
To sum up, the training course and international symposium provides a scientific basis and Chinese solutions for the low carbon utilization of biomass resources in the Southeast Asian region. The two academic activities further expanded the international exchanges and future cooperations between CAS and institutes, universities, as well as companies in ASEAN countries, which well implemented the Belt and Road Initiative. It will contribute to solving the key issues of people’s well-being in countries and regions along the Belt and Road .
Contributor: WANG Yin, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tel: 86-10-84097121
Email: anso-public@anso.org.cn
Location：No.16 Lincui Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
