Europe–China cooperation and competition in the green industries

This contribution is the editorial of the te special session of IJAE which presents some key research outputs from the EU funded Marie Curie research network Poreen (Partnering Opportunities between Europe and China in the renewable energy and green industries). This four-year project has promoted research exchange and cooperation between Chinese and European researchers (both established researchers and doctoral students) through facilitating their mobility. Ten partner institutions were involved in the project: University of Macerata (coordinator), Polytechnic University of Marche, Toulouse Business School, Ulster University, IUSE, gLawcal, Shanghai Jao Tong University, Tongji University, Beijng Normal University and East China University of Political Science and Law. The researchers involved in the project analysed the opportunities and potential to boost cooperation between China and Europe in this important area. They used a variety of research approaches and academic perspectives, combining economic, legal and engineering expertise. The economic dimensions of the project included the identification of critical issues, gaps and potential for bilateral foreign direct investments and trade in the broad area of green industries. Legal research sought to better understand the legal opportunities and constraints, focusing on offshore oil and gas extraction, renewable energies, corporate social responsibility and environmental legislation. The team’s engineering research relates to energy efficiency and carbon dioxide reduction, particularly concerning transportation and low-carbon buildings. This special issue seeks to bring together the key findings from this extensive research agenda, in order to highlight its key contributions to the field and encourage further efforts to build on the wide-ranging outcomes.