PEOPLE

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Yu Zhonghan

VISITING RESEARCHERS

Visiting PhD Student, Environmental Science and Engineering (Oct 2023 - Oct 2024)

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Biography

Zhonghan earned her Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Renmin University of China in 2021, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. focused on sustainable development and resource management. In October 2023, she joined KAUST as a visiting Ph.D. student, furthering her research on innovative strategies for sustainable resource management. Zhonghan’s academic journey is complemented by practical experience, including internships at Deloitte Management Consulting in Shanghai and the World Bank’s China Forestry and Grassland Bureau. Her work aims to contribute to global environmental sustainability by developing effective management strategies that balance resource use with conservation efforts.

Research Interests

Zhonghan’s research focuses on green development and its role in advancing environmental policies and carbon emission reduction strategies. His work explores innovative approaches to mitigate climate change by integrating sustainable practices into urban planning. It investigates the impact of policy measures on reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. By analyzing and developing strategies for green development, Zhonghan contributes to creating resilient, eco-friendly communities capable of addressing climate change challenges and supporting long-term environmental stewardship.

Selected Publications

  • Yu, Z., Kanwal, Q., Wang, M., Nurdiawati, A., & Al-Ghamdi, S. G. (2025). Spatiotemporal dynamics and key drivers of carbon emissions in regional construction sectors: Insights from a Random Forest Model. Cleaner Environmental Systems. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2025.100257
  • Yu, Z., Nurdiawati, A., Kanwal, Q., Al-Humaiqani, M., & Al-Ghamdi, S. G. (2024). Assessing and mitigating environmental impacts of construction materials: insights from environmental product declarations. Journal of Building Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.110929

Education

  • PhD - Sustainable Development Management, Renmin University of China, China, 2025
  • MS - Natural Resource Management, Renmin University of China, China, 2021

Professional Profile

  • 2019: Management Consulting Intern, Deloitte Management Consulting (Shanghai) Beijing Branch, China
  • 2018: Intern, World Bank Central, Department of the China Forestry and Grassland Bureau, China

KAUST Affiliations

• Climate and Livability Initiatives
• Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering
• Urban Lab

Non-KAUST Affiliations

School of Ecology and Environment, Renmin University of China

Research Interests Keywords

Green Construction Policy Analysis Sustainability Climate Change Carbon footprint Carbon accounting
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