Guest post by Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech

LanzaTech is the global leader in gas fermentation technology and provides novel and economic routes to fuels and high-value chemicals from waste carbon streams such as waste gases from manufacturing processes, such as steel making. By leveraging waste resources, LanzaTech’s solutions mitigate carbon emissions from industry without adversely impacting food or land security.

LanzaTech has been operating in China since 2010 and has offices in Shanghai as well as two joint ventures with leading Chinese steel mills, Baosteel and Shougang. We recognize the importance of China in the global market and strengthening ties and cooperation in the areas of Clean Energy and Climate Change is something that is in all our best interests-in particular the interests of the next generation. The Smart Cities/Smart Growth Business Development Mission to China, led by Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Deputy Secretary of Energy, Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall was an exciting opportunity for LanzaTech to continue developing relations in China. With Ambassador Baucus present throughout the Mission, it was clear this Mission was committed to meeting with and hearing from Senior Chinese officials to better understand their aspirations and needs in the clean energy and pollution mitigation sector.

The focus of this mission has been on green infrastructure, energy efficiency and environmental trade and has highlighted the benefits of sustainable urbanization and new technologies and initiatives to support China’s air pollution and climate goals. We believe strongly that there are many innovative solutions that can help with our global climate and energy challenges and cooperation on a global scale will accelerate bringing these technology solutions to commercial reality-creating the positive impact that we need to meet our 2degree carbon budget.

As part of this Mission, we have enjoyed dialogue with high-level decision makers and like-minded companies.  The trip is not only a way to establish valuable contacts, and introduce US-based technology to China, but it is a further opportunity to strengthen the resolve of these two nations to continue to work closely together to keep within our 2 degree carbon budget. The commitment is clear on both sides. Now it is time for action!