The Tsinghua University Institute for Carbon Neutrality, or ICON, was formally launched on Wednesday.

Chen Xu, secretary of the Communist Party of China Tsinghua University Committee, announced the formation of ICON. She called on ICON to focus on the country's goal of peaking its carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, to keep in step with the frontiers of international academic research, and play a leading role in the battle against global climate change.

She advised the institute to take the lead in the realization of carbon neutrality and the innovation in core technologies, and mobilize the strengths and features of relevant disciplines in a drive to promote cross-discipline integration, achieve innovation with the joint efforts of multiple schools and disciplines, and make breakthroughs in research into major fundamental theories.

Qiu Yong, president of Tsinghua University, said ICON is expected to fully leverage its cross-discipline strengths, promote coordinated innovation in enterprises, universities and research institutions, and contribute unique efforts to the country's goals in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

The establishment of ICON is a major strategic measure taken by Tsinghua University following the celebration of its 110th anniversary, and demonstrates its commitment to align with national development needs, he said.

He Kebin, deputy director of the National Experts Committee on Ecological Protection, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor with the School of Environment at Tsinghua University, was appointed dean of ICON.

He said that in the future, ICON will focus on providing strategic solutions, key technologies and comprehensive demonstration to strongly support realization of carbon neutrality in China and globally.

ICON will strive to become a center of technological innovation and a high-end think tank, a training base for high-level talents and a platform for cooperation and exchange, while focusing on the target of carbon neutrality.