Building Transition Momentum: U.S.-China Perspectives on the Future of Climate Action
New York’s Climate Week featured more than 900 official events. As Young China Watchers Global Director Elaine Chow pointed out, fewer than a handful had China in the title, even as China accounts for over 80% of global solar manufacturing and 70% of battery cells.
CINGS (China Institute Next Gen x Serica) teamed up with Young China Watchers and China Institute of America for an evening exploring China’s role in the climate transition. CINGS member Kenny Chen, CFA, CAIA, Managing Partner at Turbo Net Zero, moderated a fireside chat with Professor Cary S. Krosinsky, President and Co-Founder of the Sustainable Finance Institute. Their discussion covered how we measure economic progress, where transition finance falls short and why U.S.–China cooperation is essential to climate action.
A practitioner panel moderated by Elaine brought perspectives from investment, manufacturing and climate research. Stephen Markscheid - 馬學禮, Investor & Director at Aerion Capital, described how policy uncertainty complicates investment decisions. Howard Kwong, Senior Manager of Public Affairs APAC at Cascale and a Richard Rockefeller Fellow at Columbia Global, examined the financing and operational constraints of factory decarbonization. Mathew Lee, VP of Energy and Climate Research at MSCI, discussed policy and technology risks, domestic barriers in both countries, and opportunities for cooperation on recycling and circular materials.
Audience questions extended the discussion to critical minerals, the Inflation Reduction Act and AI’s growing energy demand. Across the evening, speakers examined who finances the transition, how its benefits are distributed and what gives companies the confidence to invest.
Thank you to Cary, Steve, Howard and Mathew for sharing their perspectives; to Kenny for organizing the program; to Elaine and the YCW team for co-hosting; and to China Institute for hosting us. We’re grateful to everyone who joined and contributed to the discussion.