Next Steps for Businesses in the California-China Clean Energy Partnership

This week, the Council reunited participants of Governor Jerry Brown’s recent Clean Energy delegation to Beijing, China to discuss next steps. California Air Resources Board Chair Mary Nichols recounted her experiences in China and, building on the momentum of four California-China agreements signed during the trip, as well as described California’s climate change progress through Council-supported cap-and-trade AB 398 and air contaminant-reducing AB 617. Nichols also highlighted the recently announced Climate Action Summit, which will be held in San Francisco in September 2018.

Discussing opportunities for technology transfers, private-public-partnerships, and investment in China in the backdrop of IP risks, Ken Alston (California Clean Energy Fund) and Arthur Haubenstock (8minutenergy Renewables) conclusively indicated latent opportunities for business collaborations within the clean energy sphere.

The event concluded with a presentation from Special Advisor to the Governor, Fan Dai, who spoke to the unique California-China relationship. Her remarks shared efforts underway to create a database that identifies the Chinese technology-gaps California businesses can fill, and opportunities regarding China’s One Belt One Road initiative. Identifying and pushing for business opportunities for California is a primary focus for the Council, which provides a range of services to guide businesses and investors looking to expand in the Bay Area and abroad. To lean how the Council can help businesses find opportunities in China, please contact Chief of Global Business Development Del Christensen.