On the morning of February 19, 2022, the 16th WaterTalk was successfully held, which was organized by the Committee of Water Treatment and Reuse, Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, Tongji University, Ocean University of China and Tsinghua University, and co-sponsored by a number of organizations. The forum was held in the form of online meeting. The forum was hosted by Prof. Wang Zhiwei, Dean of College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University. Wang Can, Professor of School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Vice President of Institute of Sustainable Development, and Head of Department of Environmental Planning and Management, made an academic report titled "Carbon Neutral Technology System and Realization Paths", and more than 3,400 people, including experts, scholars, postgraduates, and engineers, in the field of environment, from 31 provinces and municipalities in the country, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and the United States and Canada, passed through the forum. More than 3400 people attended the conference through Tencent Meeting or CNKI Live.

Prof. Wang Can carried out the lecture from the background and connotation of carbon neutrality, the technical system of carbon neutrality, and the realization path of carbon neutrality. He introduced in detail the major activities and policies on carbon neutrality, discussed several understandings and perspectives on the concepts related to carbon neutrality and carbon emissions, and raised and answered a series of questions such as why it is necessary to realize carbon neutrality and how big the task of carbon neutrality and emission reduction is. 

He said that achieving carbon neutrality is a major strategic decision made by China based on its responsibility to promote the building of a community of human destiny and the intrinsic requirement of realizing sustainable development. Subsequently, Prof. Wang Can analyzed and introduced the carbon emission pathway and its supporting technology system, including low-carbon/zero-carbon end-use technologies, zero-carbon power systems, negative emission technologies, non-CO2 emission reduction technologies, etc., and compared energy-related emission technologies in terms of scale, role, scope, technology direction and maturity. 

He proposed that technological innovation is an important guarantee to achieve carbon neutrality, which requires the promotion of key technologies such as electrification technology, hydrogen technology, CCUS technology, biomass technology, digital technology, etc., 

The realization of deep emission reduction in key industries such as energy, building, transportation, industry, etc., the gradual and orderly action of regions, the formation of a relevant policy system, and the development of climate finance and investment. 

Finally, Prof. Wang Can said that we should correctly understand the dual-carbon transition from the technical system and realization path, and carbon neutral is not just carbon emission, but also technology and economic competition, and socio-economic development transformation, which will promote new economic growth, support high-quality development, and realize the harmonious win-win situation of economy, energy, and ecological environment.