On September 17 representatives from the International Academy of Engineering and the Russian Academy of Engineering met with Tang Prize CEO Jenn-Chuan Chern at the Tang Prize Foundation offices in Taipei to talk sustainable development, renewable energy, and green building materials.
Boris Vladimirovich Gusev, president of the Moscow-based International Academy of Engineering and the Russian Academy of Engineering, was accompanied by Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov, President of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Sergey V. Pashkin, an expert in biomass equipment from the International Academy of Engineering.
Gusev noted that the coming climate change meeting COP21 Paris may lead to momentous decisions on carbon emissions, fuel subsidies, and renewable energy sources. The Paris Agreement will take effect in 2020, but even before then it will be hugely influential in guiding the growth of individual nations and the world.
Both Gusev and Chern agreed that the agreement will impact even commonplace building materials. The International Academy of Engineering is also tackling this very problem, Gusev added, by researching different ways to reduce carbon emissions derived from concrete production. But building materials is only one part of the larger picture. “Countries must pay very careful attention to all aspects of sustainability discussed at COP21,” Gusev stressed.
Earlier this year in May, Chern visited Moscow where was held the presidium of the International Academy of Engineering. “Holding a biennial prize is a long-term commitment, one that we will perform to the best of our ability. That is why Gusev’s support for the Tang Prize when it was just founded was so important; our founder Samuel Yin is equally grateful for his help.”
The Tang Prize will have a presence at COP21 this year to support efforts and awareness in sustainable development.
