Abstract: The Paris Agreement，officially signed in April 2016，laid a universal legal foundation for the formation of the global climate governance pattern， which poses challenges to the development of universities with industry characteristics， especially those related to the fossil energy industry. The challenges are manifested in the following aspects: great changes have taken place in global energy and industry structures，which exerts great pressure to universities with industry characteristics；there exist contradictions between the conventional academic advantages of disciplines and the development of frontier in universities with industry characteristics； the traditional development modes and management systems do not meet the expectations of current social needs. We hold that universities with industry characteristics need to make long-term planning in advance to cope with the development trend of the world through reform and development. The relationship between the university and the industry should be redefined to lead and promote the development of the industry. The universities need to advance their advantages in the traditionally dominant disciplines for a more balanced discipline ecology. It is also necessary for the universities to take the initiative to reform their internal administrative system following the trend of higher education reform.

Key words: The Paris Agreement, universities with industry characteristic, double first-class construction plan, higher education, discipline development