The 8th Sino-French Joint Workshop on Atmospheric Environment was successfully held in Bordeaux, France, from November 6 to 10, 2024. The workshop was jointly organized by the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES), the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fudan University, Shandong University, the editorial department of the Journal of Environmental Sciences, the Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), the Institute of Molecular Sciences of CNRS, the Institute for Research on Catalysis and the Environment of Lyon (IRCELYON) of CNRS, and the Institute of Combustion, Aerothermics, Reactivity and Environment (ICARE) of CNRS, and was hosted by the University of Bordeaux. As one of the series of events marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, the workshop received strong support from the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the CNRS. Over 80 researchers in atmospheric environmental sciences from countries and regions including China, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany participated in the workshop. Chief Scientist Chai Fahe of CRAES, researcher Mou Yujing of CAS Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, and Professor Chen Jianmin of Fudan University served as executive chairpersons of the Chinese side for the workshop.
At the opening ceremony, the Chinese side delivered a speech expressing gratitude to the University of Bordeaux for hosting the workshop. The speaker reviewed the progress and achievements in Sino-French cooperation in atmospheric environmental research over the past 16 years, shared China’s achievements and experience on air pollution control in recent years, and stressed the importance of international cooperation and exchange for addressing global atmospheric environmental issues.
Professor Eric VILLENAVE from the Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at CNRS and the University of Bordeaux, and Professor Abdelwahid MELLOUKI, a member of the European Academy of Sciences and a professor at CNRS’ ICARE, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the French side. They reviewed the initiation and development of the Sino-French Joint Workshop on Atmospheric Environment as well as the Sino-French cooperation in environmental research in recent years, and set high hopes for future bilateral exchanges and collaborations.
Group photo of some participants
In the theme of “Air pollution in a changing climate: from anthropogenic to biogenic influences”, the workshop covered nine topics, involving three plenary lectures, 15 invited presentations, 18 oral presentations, and nearly 20 posters. The participants engaged in lively discussions, particularly on such topics as pollution characteristics and source apportionment of primary and secondary air pollutants, physical, chemical processes and mechanisms of air pollution, and climate and health effects of air pollutants.
Presentations at the workshop
During the workshop, the participants had in-depth exchanges regarding future cooperation in atmospheric environment between China and France. Chen Sheng, vice president of CRAES, urged Chinese and French researchers to actively explore potential collaboration in emerging areas such as green and low-carbon technologies and clean energy while continuing to deepen their traditional cooperation in atmospheric environmental research. By doing so, they can jointly contribute to tackling global challenges such as environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.
Discussions
At the closing ceremony, Chief Scientist Chai Fahe of CRAES, Professor Chen Jianmin of Fudan University, and Professor Emilie PERRAUDIN from CNRS Institute of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and the University of Bordeaux summarized what had been discussed and achieved at the workshop. They believed that the successful convening of the workshop provided a platform for the experts engaged in research on atmospheric environment, exchange their research progress and learn from international best practices, which will further promote the exchanges and cooperation in this field between China and France and even Europe as a whole.
The Sino-French Joint Workshop on Atmospheric Environment has been held consecutively for eight years and has become an important window for CRAES to showcase China’s advanced research findings, technologies, and practical experiences in air pollution control to the international community. Additionally, as one of the initiating organizations, we have launched a series of international collaborations with Australia, Japan and ROK, Thailand, and Sweden, fully demonstrating our contributions to and influence on global environmental governance in the field of atmospheric science.
