Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change - Climate Partnership Project

China has set itself ambitious environmental and climate protection targets to be achieved by 2030. As part of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, the project supported the improvement of climate policy measures within the 14th Five-Year Plan (FJP) through structured dialogues and the exchange of knowledge on climate-related topics. The activities also strengthened the Chinese partners’ capacities in climate cooperation in third countries and in sustainable finance/climate finance at the national level. Furthermore, new areas of cooperation were identified and prepared to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement. In addition to partners within the respective climate departments, the project collaborated with relevant line ministries, authorities and institutions in China and Germany.

Project data

Countries: China
IKI funding: 7,900,000.00 €
Duration: 11/2020 till 04/2026
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Ministry of Ecology and Environment - China
Implementing Partner: Climate Investment and Finance Association (CIFA) - China

German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Online: https://climatecooperation.cn/project-activities/sino-german-cooperation-on-climate-change-climate-partnership/

https://climatecooperation.cn/

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
With the support of the Climate Partnership, high-level experts from China and Germany have been exchanging views since 12/2020 within the framework of the Sino-German Track 2 Dialogue (T2D), organised by the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) and the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), through six working groups. The results from the working groups are presented annually at joint COP side events during the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in the German or Chinese pavilion.
The T2D Steering Committee, chaired by Mr. Xu Huaqing, Senior Scientist at the NCSC, and UBA President Prof. Dirk Messner, meets twice a year, alternating between Germany and China. The Climate Partnership supports the organisation of the meetings and the exchange within the working groups. The last Steering Committee meeting took place in Berlin in 09/2025 and facilitated a discussion on topics relevant to climate negotiations.
The project promotes technical exchange between experts from China, Germany, and the EU on various topics related to sustainable climate finance. This is achieved through a range of activities, including a series of workshops with the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) and Climate&Company, as well as study tours during which Chinese delegations meet with banks and research institutions, such as Deutsche Bank, KfW, Climate Analytics, and the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. The project also funds specialised studies to improve mutual understanding of policy frameworks.
With support from the China Investment and Finance Association (CIFA), the project organised training sessions for decision-makers and financial market actors in China on topics such as climate finance practices, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies and practices of financial institutions, taxonomy, and the disclosure of sustainability information.
To promote youth engagement on climate issues in China, the project established the NextGen Climate Dialogues in 2024. Nine lectures have already been organised at renowned Chinese universities and one German university, featuring speakers such as former State Secretary Jennifer Morgan, Prof. Dirk Messner, and Prof. Peter Hennicke from the Club of Rome. The lectures promote open dialogue and learning opportunities for students, with the aim of engaging them in key climate-related issues.
In addition to the climate dialogues, the Climate Partnership organises climate study camps in collaboration with Tsinghua University and the Technical University of Munich. Following the first study camp in 09/2024 in Beijing, another one took place in 08/2025 in Munich.

Latest Update:
06/2026