Interview with Professor Fang Jie, President of Hubei University of Economics: Accelerate the development of new productive forces through digital and green coordinated development

The Secretariat Bureaus (General Office and Comprehensive Department) of 10 departments including the Central Administration of Cyberspace Technology and Information Technology recently jointly issued the "Implementation Guidelines for the Collaborative Transformation and Development of Digital Green", which clarified the promotion of green and low-carbon development of the digital industry and accelerating the green transformation of the digital technology-enabled industry. There are two major directions of "dual-oriented collaboration". At present, what difficulties and sticking points are faced by "dual-integrated collaboration"? How to promote the development of new quality productivity through "dual synergy"? Under the background of "dual synergy", which industries will usher in new development opportunities? In this regard, our reporter interviewed Professor Fang Jie, President of Hubei University of Economics.

Fang Jie, PhD in Economics, professor, president of Hubei University of Economics, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, deputy director of the Central Economic Expert Committee of the Democratic National Construction Association, and director of the Provincial and Ministerial Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Carbon Emission Rights of Hubei University of Economics. He has been engaged in economic and financial theoretical research and management practice for a long time.

China Environment News: Digitalization and greening are the two major trends in future industrial development. Why should we emphasize the synergy between the two?

Fang Jie:Digitalization and greening are like two wheels of a car and two wings of a bird. They complement each other and are indispensable. Digitalization improves production efficiency and optimizes resource allocation through technological innovation, providing strong technical support and intelligent decision-making capabilities for green transformation. Greening requires us to pay more attention to environmental protection and resource conservation in economic development, which in turn promotes the widespread application of digital technology in energy conservation, emission reduction, environmental monitoring, etc. "Dual-chemical synergy" can not only accelerate industrial upgrading, but also effectively respond to global challenges such as climate change and environmental pollution, and achieve harmonious coexistence of economy, society and environment.

Developing new quality productivity is an inherent requirement and important focus for promoting high-quality development. New-quality productivity is contemporary advanced productivity generated by revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and deep industrial transformation and upgrading. At present, digitalization and greening are the two major trends in a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and are also the two major characteristics of the times of new productivity. Therefore, the collaborative transformation of digitalization and green, using digitalization to empower greening, and using greening to drive digitalization, is becoming an important way to accelerate the development of new productive forces.

China Environment News: In a notice jointly issued by the Central Cyberspace Administration and other five departments, 10 regions have been identified as comprehensive pilots of "dual-integration collaboration". What experiences have these pilot areas gained that are worth learning from?

Fang Jie:First of all, the pilot areas have carried out many useful explorations in policy guidance and mechanism innovation, and formulated specific policy measures and implementation plans, providing clear directions and guidance for "dual synergy". At the same time, by establishing cross-regional, cross-departmental and cross-industry cooperation mechanisms, the integration and sharing of resources from all parties have been promoted and the synergy effect has been enhanced. For example, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province has established a joint conference system of "dual-chemical collaboration", implemented the responsibility system of leading units for special actions, coordinated promotion and implementation of various key tasks, continuously promoted new formats, new models, and new industries for green and low-carbon development, and effectively promoted cross-industry cooperation in "dual-chemical collaboration". Policy guidance and mechanism innovation have not only stimulated the enthusiasm of market entities, but also provided a strong institutional guarantee for the in-depth development of "dual-modernization synergy".

Secondly, the pilot areas have actively explored and applied a variety of cutting-edge technologies, such as intelligent dispatch systems, liquid cooling technology, etc., to optimize the energy efficiency of data centers and significantly reduce energy consumption. At the same time, in terms of the use of green energy, these regions are also actively promoting renewable energy such as solar energy and wind energy, further promoting the development of green computing power. Technological innovation not only improves the green level of infrastructure, but also provides a solid foundation for the integrated development of digital economy and green economy. For example, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, relying on a good ecological environment and digital economic foundation, has built a "green intelligent manufacturing" system, realizing intelligent and green transformation of the production process through the industrial Internet platform, effectively reducing energy consumption and emissions.

In addition, the pilot areas have also accumulated a lot of valuable experience in open cooperation and international exchanges, actively participated in international green development initiatives, and learned fromXiAnd learn from international advanced experience and technology. At the same time, they have also strengthened cooperation with other countries to jointly promote the international mutual recognition and application of green data centers and other technologies, enhancing their influence and competitiveness in the field of global green computing infrastructure. For example, Shenzhen City actively joins international organizations such as the Global Digital Economy Partnership (DEPA) and participates in the formulation and promotion of international standards and rules related to the green digital economy; it has established a special international cooperation agency or department responsible for docking with relevant international agencies. Regularly hold international exchange meetings, seminars and other activities; build a series of international cooperation platforms, such as green data center international cooperation demonstration zones, smart city international cooperation projects, etc.; It also actively participates in the formulation of international green data center standards, and encourages local green data centers to apply for international certifications, such as Uptime Institute's Tier certification, LEED green building certification, etc. Open cooperation and international exchanges not only promote the green development of the pilot areas themselves, but also make positive contributions to the global "dual synergy" cause.

China Environment News: At present, what difficulties and bottlenecks are still faced by "dual-integration collaboration"?

Fang Jie:The road to "dual synergy" is not smooth. The main difficulties include: First, the model path of "dual synergy" needs further exploration. The experience model of "dual-modernization synergy" in developed countries is not suitable for my country's national conditions, and relevant domestic pilots are still in their infancy. Second, the strength of digital green scientific and technological innovation needs to be enhanced. The "stuck neck" problem of key technologies such as chips and operating systems required in the construction of computing power platforms, large-scale nuclear power analysis and design software, and instrument and control systems that meet nuclear-level standards urgently needs to be broken through."Using digital technology to help green technology, using green technology The positive interactive pattern of" driving digital technology "is not yet perfect. Third, the green transformation of digital technology-enabled industries needs to be further deepened. The degree of digital transformation varies greatly among enterprises. Even if some enterprises are already highly digital, due to the low degree of digitalization of their upstream and downstream enterprises, the role of digitalization is difficult to play, which hinders the green transformation of the digital enabling industry to develop in depth. Fourth, the greening level of the digital industry needs to be improved. In 2021, the power consumption of national data centers will reach 216.6 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 2.6% of the country's total power consumption, and carbon emissions will be 135 million tons, accounting for 1.14% of the country's total emissions. Fifth, the foundation of the elements of "dual synergy" needs to be further consolidated. In terms of ecological and environmental data circulation and sharing, green computing power construction, digital green compound talent training, financial support, etc., all need to be strengthened.

China Environment News: How can the digital industry implement "dual synergy" and achieve sustainable development?

Fang Jie:If the digital industry wants to achieve sustainable development, the concept of "dual synergy" must be integrated into the entire process of industrial development.

Specifically, we can coordinate the construction of digital industry infrastructure to avoid duplicate construction and idleness, and continue to promote the "Eastern Numbers and Western Numbers" project. Optimize the energy utilization structure of the digital industry and increase the utilization proportion of new energy sources such as solar energy and wind energy. Further promote the application of energy-saving and carbon-reduction technologies in the digital industry, accelerate the application of energy-saving technologies such as near-end cooling and high-voltage DC power supply in the construction of green data centers, and promote the application of communication base station software and hardware energy-saving technologies in 5G networks. Establish and improve the digital industry waste recycling system to reduce energy consumption and pollution in e-waste treatment.

Taking Alibaba Cloud as an example, the company has adopted a large number of green energy-saving technologies in the construction of data centers, such as liquid cooling, intelligent operation and maintenance, etc., effectively reducing energy consumption and operating costs. At the same time, Alibaba Cloud also actively promotes the application of cloud computing, big data and other technologies in environmental protection, energy and other fields, helping traditional industries achieve digital transformation and green upgrades. This "green cloud" model not only enhances the sustainable development capabilities of the digital industry itself, but also provides green transformation solutions for other industries.

China Environment News: How can traditional industries use digital technology to empower the industry's green transformation?

Fang Jie:The key to the green transformation of traditional industries lies in using digital technology to improve production efficiency and resource utilization.

Specifically, we can use big data technology to calculate and analyze product carbon footprints and establish a basic database of product carbon emissions throughout the life cycle. Use artificial intelligence, industrial robots and other technologies to optimize process flows and material scheduling, improve the control and interconnection of production equipment, and reduce energy and material consumption in the production process. Promote the industrial Internet-based digital energy and carbon management system to improve the efficiency of energy management and carbon emission monitoring and management. Use digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and big data to build a waste resource information service platform to connect the resource processing and reuse industry chain up and down.paradeIndustry, forming an orderly waste resource recycling chain.

Taking the steel industry as an example, Baosteel has introduced intelligent manufacturing systems to achieve precise control and optimized scheduling of the production process, significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions. At the same time, Baosteel also uses big data, artificial intelligence and other technologies to deeply mine and analyze production data, providing strong support for product innovation and process improvement. This "smart steel" model not only enhances the competitiveness of enterprises, but also sets a benchmark for the green transformation of the steel industry.

China Environment News: Under the background of "dual synergy", which industries will usher in new development opportunities?

Fang Jie:"Dual synergy" has brought new development opportunities to many industries. In the manufacturing field, intelligent manufacturing and green manufacturing will become mainstream trends; in the energy field, emerging industries such as clean energy and smart grid will develop rapidly; in the service industry, emerging formats such as digital finance and green logistics will continue to emerge. At the same time, with the deepening of "dual synergy", some emerging industries such as digital twins, carbon trading, environmental protection technology, etc. will also become new driving forces for development. These emerging industries not only have broad market prospects and huge development potential, but will also inject new vitality into the sustainable development of the economy and society.

China Environment News: What do you think is the key to promoting the development of new quality productivity through "dual synergy"?

Fang Jie:The key to "dual-chemical synergy" to promote the development of new quality productivity lies in innovation-driven.

First of all, we must accelerate the research and development and application of digital technology, promote the deep integration of advanced technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence with traditional industries, and form new production models and service formats.

Secondly, we must deepen the research and development and promotion of green technologies, promote the widespread application of green technologies such as clean energy, energy conservation and environmental protection, and reduce resource consumption and environmental pollution in the production process.

More importantly, we must strengthen "dual-chemical synergy" scientific and technological innovation. Further clarify the strategic direction, key areas and major projects of "dual synergy" and promote interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated innovation. Encourage leading enterprises in the industry to build a "dual-collaborative" interconnection and sharing platform and integrate resources from all parties to jointly carry out common technology research. Promote the further cross-integration of digital technology and green technology, promote the organic integration of digital technologies such as the industrial Internet and big data with green industries, accelerate the research and development of energy-saving and efficiency technologies in high-end chips and supercomputing and other fields, and accelerate digital technology and environmental pollution control, clean coal power generation. In-depth integration of green technologies such as carbon capture and carbon sequestration. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen collaborative innovation between industry, academia and research, build an open and cooperative innovation ecosystem, and accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productivity.