Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) welcomed Sir Andrew Mackenzie, a member of the Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board and chairman of the Board of Shell Group, for a dialogue with students from undergraduates, master's, and doctoral programs on October 24, 2024.

During his presentation, Mackenzie addressed a range of topics, focusing on three key challenges in the energy transition: tackling climate change, improving access to affordable energy, and ensuring global energy security. He emphasized the critical need for collaboration between government, industry and customers to make this transition successful, also noting how recent events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, have exposed the current energy system's vulnerabilities.

Sir Andrew Mackenzie speaks with Tsinghua students.

Mackenzie discussed Shell's approach to addressing key energy transition issues. Over the past year, Shell collaborated with BYD, a major Chinese corporation, to establish its largest electric vehicle (EV) charging site near the Shenzhen airport. Mackenzie highlighted China's impressive role in the energy transition, underscoring the importance of partnerships between governments, organizations like Shell and Tsinghua, and energy consumers.

Shell has set a target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. Mackenzie noted that Shell is making measurable progress toward this goal through global projects, particularly in China, where the company's expanded involvement aligns with the nation's proactive adoption of EVs. Last year, one-third of the cars sold in China were electric, compared to one-fifth in the EU and one-tenth in the United States. Shell has also invested significantly in liquefied natural gas (LNG) due to its flexibility and diverse sourcing options, helping to address energy security by providing an alternative to pipeline, which has presented substantial energy security risks.

Q&A Session

At the end of the presentation, Mackenzie engaged in an engaging Q&A with SEM students, who asked about a range of economic and environmental issues, as well as the challenges international corporations like Shell face in the energy transition. Drawing on his extensive experience in the energy industry, Mackenzie provided insightful answers that sparked further reflection among the students.

Zhang Chen presents a souvenir to Sir Andrew Mackenzie on behalf of Tsinghua SEM.

To conclude the day, Mackenzie was presented with a Tsinghua souvenir made by a Tsinghua arts student. Students said Mackenzie's insights deepened their understanding of the transformations shaping the future of the energy, and they looked forward to further opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with Shell Group.

Group photo of the event

Source: Academic Affairs Office

Editor: Ren Zhongxi