Hao Zhang

Hao Zhang is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where he served as Deputy Director of the LLM Programme in Energy and Environmental Law from 2019 to 2023. He holds a PhD from Melbourne Law School and serves as associate editor of Climate Law and member of the International Bar Association's Academic Advisory Group for Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure Law.

His research centers on energy decarbonization and green economic transition, examining carbon pricing mechanisms, electricity market regulation, renewable energy integration (particularly in China's Greater Bay Area), green finance frameworks, and emissions trading systems. Recent work investigates regulatory barriers to renewable grid access, stranded assets in natural gas pricing, and comparative climate neutrality frameworks between the EU and China.

Analysis of his 2019-2024 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) Empirical focus on China's pilot emissions trading schemes and carbon market design; (2) Growing emphasis on regional energy integration challenges in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; (3) Increasing comparative analysis of EU and Chinese regulatory approaches to carbon neutrality. His work consistently bridges legal theory with policy implementation challenges.

His notable recognition includes:

• CUHK Vice-Chancellor’s Exemplary Teaching Award (2020)

Dr. Zhang has secured three major research grants as Principal Investigator: a Hong Kong Early Career Scheme grant (2021-22) on renewable energy integration pathways, and two CUHK Direct Grants (2020/21 and 2018/19) on carbon capture/storage regulations and decarbonization strategies respectively. He provides expert consultancy to the Energy Charter Secretariat, German Environment Agency, and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

His international collaborations include co-authoring reports for multilateral organizations and participating in the UK-China Graduate Work Experience Programme, reflecting his engagement with global energy policy networks.