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Case Studies - Examples of UK China Collaboration in Action

Collaboration between British companies and Chinese partners whether in industry, Government or academic institutions is a critical part of this process and we at CBBC are eager to support the growth of these partnerships. Several collaborations between the UK and China in green development and tech already exist: the Low Carbon Cities programme, for example, utilises UK-China research collaboration to help reduce carbon emissions of existing technologies.

The UK manufacturing’s strengths lie in early-stage R&D and technology as well as later-stage servitisation, end-of-life innovation, and high value manufacturing. On the other hand, China’s strength in manufacturing lies in the medium stage, where production and distribution take place. By taking manufacturing as an example, both countries’ strengths are found at different stages, and thus cooperation between the two enables both countries to fill in where they are least proficient and achieve a win-win scenario.

CBBC’s Targeting Net Zero report, published on 9th November 2021, lists a wide range of successful cases of UK-China cooperation that focus on low carbon emissions and green development.

1. bp – Advancing Low Carbon & Fast Charging in China

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A prime example of ongoing cooperation between the UK and China is bp’s JV with Didi to establish fast charging EV charging stations in cities across China. bp officially entered the E-mobility market at the end of 2017 and quickly accumulated experience in charging site development and operations. In 2018, bp announced investment of USD 10 million into NIO Capital, the leading e-mobility PE Fund of China, to explore new opportunities in the mobility space jointly and has also launched charging at its branded retail stations in Shandong, which provide customers with quality fuel and fast charging services. 

In 2019, bp invested in PowerShare, a leading integrated hardware Easy access to ultra-fast charging will help address concerns over range and provide a solution for those that cannot charge at home, enabling mass adoption of electric vehicles. Also in 2019, bp joined hands with Didi to form a joint venture, bp-Xiaoju, aiming to develop a fast-charging network in selected regions across China. As of the end of June 2021, the joint venture has grown to nearly 2,000 charge points across 81 charging stations in China. bp aims to scale up to over 50,000 charge points by 2030 in China, through various business models including joint equity investment, and franchise operations.

2. British Standards Institute (BSI)

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Adherence to standards are fundamental considerations for companies to address in the quest for attaining net zero. The British Standards Institute (BSI) is working with organisations supporting them to reach their vision to become carbon neutral and take them through the journey by using relevant standards and demonstrating their achievements using the standard PAS2060 Carbon Neutrality.

3. Rainforest Connection (RFCx)

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Rainforest Connection (RFCx) is a UK company that cooperates with Huawei to develop monitoring systems used in South American rainforests to protect them from deforestation and animal habitat loss. This joint initiative is currently looking into using this technology to set up trials in the UK to help protect the native red squirrel population. 

4. Arup

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Finally, ARUP is another environmentally conscious UK company working in China across the infrastructure sector and is architect of numerous widely recognized and functional projects across China - from the Guangzhou Tower and Beijing Capital Airport to the Shougang Industry Services Park in Beijing - China’s first project under C40 Climate Positive Development Programme.

Arup has also worked with the Shanghai Urban Construction Design & Research Institute to develop an environmentally conscious urban drainage plan that aims to reduce costs and carbon emissions. Such examples of cooperation and joint initiatives from both China and the UK are just a few of the many other cases already out there and which we are confident we’ll continue to see more of.

Working Together - CBBC’s Net Zero & Green Transition Programme

The UK-China Green Manufacturing Report also provides other recommendations in the technical fields for the UK and China to engage in collaboration, thanks to both countries’ interests in materials and energy efficiency. The recommendations are to identify specific areas of green manufacturing for collaboration, whether it be in the design of green products or the economics of green manufacturing, to create a framework for such collaboration to determine the parties involved and the appropriate routes to take, and to focus on the “three Cs” when choosing and working with partners: compatibility, communication, and co-ordination.

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CBBC launched our first Net Zero report during COP26 to highlight the areas where the UK and China is already partnering to reduce carbon emissions and protect our environment. We will also soon begin work on our second Net Zero report and programme of activities which will take a deeper look at the potential for new areas of UK-China cooperation here in China. Copies of our first report can be downloaded by clicking here.

In addition to our Net Zero reports, CBBC is in the process of launching a Green Transition Working Group which will form the focal point for the work we do with our members across the UK and China. This group will look to engage key central and regional Government departments as well as provide a platform for information sharing and collaboration.

 

If you would like to get involved in our programme or are seeking to explore marketing opportunities for your business in China, please contact James.Brodie@cbbc.org (UK) or  Mark.Xu@cbbc.org (China).

We look forward to continuing our work supporting the carbon neutrality agenda and furthering the growth of bilateral trade and investment between the UK and China.