The partnership will continue to focus on sustainability issues, particularly those that support Rio Tinto’s 2050 net zero carbon emissions strategy

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Rio Tinto and Tsinghua University extend partnership on resources, energy and sustainable development. (Credit: Rio Tinto)

Rio Tinto has further strengthened its partnership with China’s Tsinghua University, signing a new partnership agreement and committing a further 30 million yuan ($4.5 million) over the next five years to support research projects of at the Tsinghua-Rio Tinto Joint Research Centre for Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development.

The partnership will continue to focus on sustainability issues, particularly those that support Rio Tinto’s 2050 net zero carbon emissions strategy and the company’s collaboration to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental performance across the steel value chain as part of the separate Rio Tinto-China Baowu Steel Group-Tsinghua University Partnership.

Rio Tinto and Tsinghua University established the Joint Research Centre in 2012 to bring together leading experts from China and around the world to study, generate and share ideas and best practice for sustainable development. Over the last eight years, the partnership has delivered over 90 research papers on sustainability topics, with multiple policy recommendations submitted to the Chinese authorities.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques and Vice Chairman of China’s National Experts Panel on Climate Change, Tsinghua University former executive vice president He Jiankun witnessed the signing of the agreement to extend the partnership at a ceremony today in Beijing.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said “The Tsinghua-Rio Tinto Joint Research Centre for Resources, Energy and Sustainable Development has already delivered great insight into the outlook of our largest market and our long-term strategic considerations for the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

“Extending our strong partnership with Tsinghua University, as one of the leading institutions in China, underscores our commitment to be part of the solution to climate change.”

“With China’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060, the research projects conducted by the Tsinghua-Rio Tinto Centre are likely to become even more relevant to achieving China’s long-term strategic goals.”

Tsinghua University vice president You Zheng said “We will strive to build the Joint Research Centre into one of the world’s leading research institutions on energy, resources and sustainable development, and one of the most influential think tanks in China. We hope to continue to work with Rio Tinto to contribute to the sustainable development of humanity, leveraging our complementary advantages for mutual benefit and common development.”

Source: Company Press Release