Events

The expansion of data centers and telecommunication networks has raised environmental concerns driven by surging electricity consumption and corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the environmental impacts of ICT infrastructure are acknowledged, monitoring emissions and policy design remain underdeveloped. This dissertation examines public policy challenges in cloud emission estimation addressing three parameters: (1) existing policy measures to mitigate data center impacts, (2) a novel carbon accounting framework for cloud emissions (consumption-based), and (3) implementation pathways for this framework.
Parameter (1) is assessed via qualitative content analysis of six data center hubs: Singapore, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, the USA, and the UK. The study categorizes policy responses as disruptive (halting new licenses), adjustment (implementing stricter standards), or continuation (maintaining deployment despite environmental impacts). The analysis indicates that stricter energy accuracy standards support growth planning, while policies align infrastructure strategies with available electricity capacity.
For parameter (2), the research examines the limitations of the traditional, location-based carbon allocation method. The method overlooks the geographical separation between emission sources and cloud consumers. Using the consumption approach for three of the six hubs (Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands) from 2017 to 2022 reveals differences in consumption profiles: Germany’s cloud emissions are 75% domestic, Ireland’s 85% foreign, and the Netherlands’ split evenly, highlighting the need for equitable emission accountability.

To address parameter (3), the study identifies four estimation risk sources: emission factors, methods, data sources, and boundary definitions. These risk sources stem from the location-based method that overlooks the geographical separation between cloud hosts and consumers, which risks disproportionately allocating emissions only to cloud-hosting jurisdictions. The study proposes three policy interventions to mitigate the risks: stricter accounting rules, eco-labeling, and carbon border adjustments. The findings of the three dimensions are summarized into a decision framework to guide governments in monitoring and mitigating cloud emissions.

This paper quantifies the effect of distributed solar generation on distribution feeders using unique, proprietary data from individual solar installations and feeders in Connecticut. We find that each additional kilowatt (kW) of distributed solar reduces the annual maximum feeder load and the top one percentile of feeder load by 0.11 kW. Using a matched difference-in-differences approach, we also find evidence of a 3.6% solar rebound effect, primarily occurring in spring and fall. Importantly, this rebound does not affect the impact of distributed solar on peak feeder loads, as these predominantly occur during the summer. Except in high-congested feeders, the economic value of deferred distribution capacity investment ranges from $0.3 to $2.9 per MWh, significantly below the cost premium of distributed solar compared to utility scale solar. Our findings imply that even in a summer-peaking system, distributed solar generation cannot be rationalized solely by savings from deferred distribution feeder investments. 

The two universities cooperate again to host The Policy Dialogue Series which began in 2018-19 and is now in its seventh annual series. Professor Anthony Cheung and Professor Lui Tai-lok will be joined by other speakers in the relevant fields to explore some critical issues and public policy challenges facing Hong Kong. The Policy Dialogue Series is interactive and encourages the participation of the HKUST and EdUHK communities as well as members of the public who are concerned about Hong Kong’s future.

Geopolitics is redefining the world that Hong Kong used to face and operate in. At the same time, the city is further integrated into the national development trajectory, especially within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), which opens new opportunities as well as complementarities and competitions vis-à-vis other Chinese cities. Also, both government and business now seek to strengthen economic links with Southeast Asia and the Middle East. How should Asia and GBA feature in Hong Kong’s rethinking of regionalization strategy to drive new growth?

Texts such as news articles, social media posts, contracts, financial reports, laws, and regulations are deeply embedded in the real-world dynamics of the economy and business. Traditionally, economic studies have had limited means of systematically and quantitatively analyzing such textual data, primarily through text mining and certain qualitative methods, making it difficult to conduct complex, context-aware analysis. However, generative AI, including large language models (LLMs), has the potential to dramatically transform this landscape. This talk explores how generative AI can contribute to policy analysis, with a focus on applications in economic policy studies, including monetary and fiscal policy analysis.

In the last decades of the past century, growing criticism of the effects of government intervention in the economy led to a decline in the governments' role in the production of goods and services. In the area of local government and public service delivery, a wave of privatization was the main tool of reform, often through the contracting out of public service delivery. Because the results of privatization were much more modest than expected, other types of reforms have intensified in the first decades of this century. On the one hand, regarding the jurisdiction of the provider (amalgamation and intermunicipal cooperation); on the other, regarding the organization of production (corporatization and remunicipalization). After five decades of local government reform, a local machine-service hybridization is the most common approach to public service delivery.

The world has experienced different moments in great power politics. Such as bipolarity (1945-1989), unipolarity (1989-2014) and we have entered a multipolar phase (2014-onwards). 
 
In this phase, the United States of America, the People´s Republic of China and the Russian Federation are the three most relevant actors that seek to maintain and increase their international power. 
 
This conference focuses on the current moment, starting by the second term for President Donald Trump which is speeding up international change. The weakening of the transatlantic alliance, following the wars in Ukraine and Palestine takes the international environment to a different scenario which is worth analyzing.
 
Which includes President Trump´s expansionist intentions with Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal, as well as the European Union´s intention to form a stronger alliance that will be most likely stopped by the competition between Germany and France. 
 
These topics will be developed using Theory of International Relations. 

 

In his major address to Hong Kong on 1 July 2022, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to care about the young generation and expressed hope that all of Hong Kong’s young people “will devote themselves to building Hong Kong into a better home, writing a rewarding chapter of their life with impassioned youth” (投身到建設美好香港的行列中來，用火熱的青春書寫精彩的人生). Young people are the future of our society. What are their aspirations and most pressing concerns today? How can a more conducive environment be fostered to enable them to build their hope and stake in the city?

We use large language models to rank how advanced China, the US and the EU are in key critical technologies by using patent data but control for the relevance of each patent. We also look into the speed of spillovers and which companies dominate for each country. This analysis is followed by policy conclusions for the three economic areas analyzed.

We are thrilled to invite you to an engaging career talk titled "The Career Playbook: Tips and Insights from Policy Professionals," featuring three dynamic mid-career policy professionals from leading think tanks and major corporations. This is a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders right here at the Clear Water Bay campus and gain invaluable insights into the world of public policy.

Join us for an inspiring session where our esteemed speakers will share their personal journeys, offering practical tips on how to effectively balance study and work, hone your internship skills, navigate the job-hunting landscape, and strategically plan your career development. They will also delve into their experiences conducting real-world policy analysis, providing you with a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and triumphs faced in the field.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from the best and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your future career. This talk promises to be both informative and motivating, so seize the opportunity to enhance your professional journey and network with accomplished professionals. We look forward to seeing you there!

There will be lots of time for questions and discussion. In this seminar, two distinguished female scholars, both of whom have held ministerial positions in South Korea and Hong Kong SAR, will share their unique experiences of navigating the intersection between academia and government.
The two Sophias will also engage in a discussion on critical social and health policy issues facing these two Asian tiger economies.

Hong Kong faces various demographic challenges including an ageing society, decline in birth rate, middle-class brain drain, and talent and labour shortage. As early as 2002, a government task force recommended setting population policy targets to respond to changing demographic conditions and market situations. How has Hong Kong’s population policy fared over the past two decades — to address demographic issues, reorganise and improve services, and groom and attract a broad range of talent necessary for social and economic development?

Mark Jit will briefly discuss the current state of the field of global health in today’s changing and uncertain world. Prof. Jit will then talk about some of the challenges and opportunities facing an academic global health department, using NYU’s recently established department as an example. There will be lots of time for questions and discussion.