Renowned Chemist Professor Marc Fontecave Discusses Carbon Neutrality Solutions at CityUHK
Professor Marc Fontecave, an HKIAS Senior Fellow and a Professor at Collège de France, visited City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) from 22 to 27 March 2026. As a visionary leader whose influence continues to shape the global scientific landscape, his visit strengthened international collaboration in energy research and catalysis, while inspiring faculty, students, and the wider Hong Kong scientific community.
Throughout the week, Professor Fontecave engaged in a series of in-depth discussions with prominent scholars across CityUHK, including Professor Benjamin Horton, Dean of the School of Energy and Environment, Professor Jian Lu, Dean of College of Engineering, Professor Philippe Ciarlet, Senior Fellow of HKIAS, Professor Shuk Han Cheng, Executive Director of HKIAS, Professor Alex Jen, Lee Shau Kee Chair Professor of Materials Science, Professor Zonglong Zhu, Chair Professor of Chemistry, Professor Jean-Michel Coron, Member of the French Academy of Sciences, Professor Jason Lam, Associate Professor of Energy and Environment, Professor Xue Wang, Assistant Professor of Energy and Environment and Professor Xing Li, Assistant Professor of Chemistry. These exchanges provided valuable opportunities to share research insights, explore future scientific advancements, and deepen ties between Hong Kong and French scientific leaders.
On 24 March 2026, Professor Fontecave delivered the HKIAS Distinguished Lecture titled “Electrocatalysis for Carbon Neutrality: The Case of CO₂/CO Electrovalorization”. The lecture highlighted the crucial links between decarbonization needs and the electrocatalytic foundations of key reactions. It zoomed into the industrialization gap of CO₂/CO electroreduction and showcased recent innovations aimed at closing that gap. Supported by the Kwang Hua Educational Foundation, the lecture garnered significant attention, drawing a diverse audience from multiple departments within CityUHK and other academic institutions across Hong Kong. (For more information about the lecture, please click here.)
As one of the Scientific Committee members, Professor Fontecave is currently organizing the International Conference on Innovative Materials for Electrochemical Valorisation of Small Molecules (ICIM 2026). Co-organized by HKIAS, the College of Engineering and the College of Science, this prestigious event is scheduled to be held at CityUHK in November 2026. The conference will gather world-leading experts in electrocatalysis to exchange cutting-edge knowledge on green hydrogen production, fuel cells, and CO₂ valorization. (For more information about ICIM 2026, please click here.)
Professor Marc Fontecave is a distinguished member of the French Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on the study of catalysts and biocatalysts, as well as electrochemical devices for water splitting and the valorization of carbon dioxide as strategies for the chemical storage of renewable energies. His exceptional contributions to the field have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the CNRS Silver Medal, the Achille-Le-Bel Grand Prize of the Société Chimique de France, Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur, and Officier of the Ordre National du Mérite, among many others.
Professor Fontecave’s presence at CityUHK underscored the university’s commitment to advancing research in sustainable energy and catalysis while fostering international partnerships that address pressing global challenges. The Hong Kong Institute for Advanced Study extends its profound appreciation to Professor Fontecave for the significant intellectual engagement and knowledge exchange that his visit facilitated within our academic community.