15 May 2026
On April 28, the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences (HES) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, together with the XJTLU External Mentor ESG Committee, hosted the Chinese-language consultation event “ESG Future Forum: New Career Pathways for Environmental Science Students.”
The event attracted more than 80 students from different year groups and academic backgrounds, creating an enthusiastic and highly interactive atmosphere.
As global attention toward sustainability, carbon neutrality, and ESG continues to grow, environmental science and related fields are entering a new era of opportunities. This event focused on the emerging connection between Environmental Science and ESG, aiming to help students better understand industry trends, career opportunities, and future development pathways in the sustainability sector.
Exploring ESG Trends and Future Opportunities
The event opened with welcome remarks from Professor Eben, Head of the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, and was hosted throughout by Dr. Dou Yuehan from the HES Department.
During the keynote session, several mentors shared insights from different perspectives:
Mr Huang Qiang delivered a talk titled “Chinese Listed Companies’ ESG: From an Optional Question to a Mandatory Requirement,” introducing the growing importance of ESG in corporate governance, information disclosure, capital markets, and global supply chains.
Mr Qian Wen presented “ESG & AI: Left or Right?”, discussing the intersection of ESG, carbon neutrality, artificial intelligence, and future industries, while highlighting emerging opportunities created by the integration of sustainability and digital technologies.
Mr Liu Yan explored topics such as quantum technology, blockchain, and carbon data security, demonstrating how cutting-edge technologies can empower sustainable development and reshape future environmental industries.
Dr Li Li introduced the Environmental Science programme at XJTLU, covering academic directions, learning experiences, research opportunities, and career pathways. Her presentation showcased the diverse possibilities within environmental science, including biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, sustainability, and ESG-related careers.
Connecting Students with Industry
The second half of the event focused on ESG career guidance and internship opportunities. External mentors from various professional backgrounds shared their real-world industry experiences and career advice with students.
Participating mentors included Ms Wang Yajuan, Mr Zhu Mu, Ms Li Juan, Mr Pang Bo, Mr Wu Dagang, Mr Gao Tianyi, and Ms Du Yingming, among others. Coming from sectors such as ESG consulting, healthcare, ecological protection, environmental technology, and design consulting, the mentors discussed industry trends, professional skills, career planning, and personal development experiences.
Several mentors also introduced potential opportunities for research collaboration, internships, and career connections, helping students gain a more practical understanding of the ESG and sustainability industries.
The event featured lively discussions, with students actively asking questions about environmental science career pathways, ESG industry prospects, interdisciplinary skill development, and how environmental science students can position themselves in the AI era.
Environmental Science Beyond the Classroom
Following the event, many students shared positive feedback, noting that the forum helped them gain a clearer understanding of ESG, sustainability-related industries, and future career directions.
Today, topics such as ESG, green finance, carbon neutrality, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development are becoming increasingly important worldwide. Environmental science is also expanding beyond traditional environmental management into areas including policy, business, technology, and social innovation.
Looking ahead, the HES Department will continue collaborating with industry mentors and external partners to provide more academic, professional, and career development opportunities for students, helping them explore new pathways in the global transition toward sustainability.
Content：Dr Yuehan Dou
15 May 2026