On October 3, 2023, the BRICS Policy Center and the Mott Foundation organized the seminar “China’s Role in the Just and Sustainable Energy Transition”. The event was open to the public and took place in the Padre Anchieta Auditorium at PUC-Rio. The opening panel was attended by Professor Isabel Siqueira (Director of IRI/PUC-Rio), Professor Marta Fernández (Director of the BRICS Policy Center), Professor Rogério Werneck (Representative of the Rectory of PUC-Rio), Neal Hegarty (Director of the Mott Foundation) and Xu Yuansheng (Chinese Commercial Consul in Rio de Janeiro). The first panel, entitled “China and the prospects for global energy transition”, featured Maria Elena Rodríguez (IRI/PUC-Rio) and Rebecca Ray (Boston University). The second panel was entitled “Energy transition in Latin America: China as a strategic partner?” and featured Roberto Kishiname (Instituto Clima e Sociedade), Mark Bo (Inclusive Development International) and Paulina Garzon (Latinoamerica Sustentable).

In view of China’s influence on its trading partners in the areas of technology, investment and knowledge exchange, the event debated the country’s possible positions as an inducer of a just energy transition, given its role in international discussions on the subject, or as an inducer of a deepening use of fossil fuels, given its numerous oil imports in its relations with Latin America. It was also discussed how China can play a critical role as a supplier of equipment for clean energy production and as a promoter of cooperation and the exchange of knowledge, which are so fundamental for the future of Latin America.