Young people are a powerful force in driving climate action and shaping climate policies globally. Facing a future world transformed by global warming, rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, and the attendant effects on human welfare, ecosystems, and the inhabitability of many regions of the world, young people today are rightfully alarmed and calling on today’s leaders to avert disaster.
Because they recognize the urgency of the climate crisis more than previous generations, the global youth is speaking up for much-needed change and strong climate action. Their engagement ranges from adopting climate-conscious lifestyles, to local grassroots efforts and global civil society initiatives such as Fridays for Future, to being present in international negotiations.
Two events took place in Beijing in September 2024, supported by the Sino-German Climate Partnership, a project implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Foreign Office: the first Sino-German Climate Study Camp, organized in collaboration with Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Tsinghua University, as well as the third keynote lecture of the NextGen Climate Dialogue series. These events strengthened contacts and enabled exchange between young climate leaders from China, Germany, and other European nations, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the global climate challenge. They also provided a platform for engagement on climate science, policy, and action to those students who sought a better understanding of the science of climate change and avenues for climate action.
Sino-German Study Camp: Fostering Technical Expertise and Policy Insight
The Sino-German Study Camp, held from 5-14 September 2024 at the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development (ICCSD) of Tsinghua University in Beijing, provided a unique opportunity for German and other European students to gain profound insights into China’s role and approaches on pressing global climate challenges. As the world’s largest CO₂ emitter in absolute numbers and a leading player in renewable energy development, China’s role in addressing climate change issues was a central focus. Beyond detailed discussions of China’s climate targets and policies and the challenges it faces in transforming its economy to a low-carbon economy, the lectures and seminars also featured a strong global outlook. Students from various European countries shared their perspective – a reflection of the multilateral nature of the climate challenge.
Students were brought together with renowned experts such as Prof. Andreas Levermann from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Science (PIK) and Prof. Miranda Schreuers from TUM, who spoke about the role of cities in climate action. Distinguished Tsinghua University Professors such as Prof. Cai Wenjia, Prof. Shi Lin, Prof. Hu Bin, Prof. Li Zheng and Prof. Lu Xu held lectures on a broad range of topics, such as climate governance in China and globally, energy transition pathways, transition finance, and much more. Through these lectures and subsequent discussions, students attained a comprehensive understanding of the political, economic, and scientific aspects of climate change and climate action in China.
The camp featured site visits to leading energy and environmental research centers, such as the National Institute of Clean and Low-Carbon Energy, offering participants a practical understanding of how climate technologies are being applied in China. Through academic and practical activities and exchanges inside and outside of the classroom, the study camp participants gained a deep understanding of China’s climate policies and ambitions. The study camp highlighted the many challenges China faces as it strives to balance continued economic growth with the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
The study camp was topped off with visits to the Great Wall and Summer Palace. Overall, it enabled the students to acquire in-depth knowledge of China’s pivotal role and responsibility in global climate protection and provided an opportunity to explore solutions to the most urgent environmental challenge of our time.
NextGen Climate Dialogue: Shaping Climate Policy through Expert Insights and Youth Engagement
On 3 September 2024, the third edition of the NextGen Climate Dialogue lecture series convened at Renmin University of China to examine the current global climate policy landscape. The event featured expert speakers, including Dr. Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, who discussed the evolution of climate policy frameworks such as the IPCC and the Paris Agreement. Dr. Hare highlighted the urgent need for more ambitious climate actions, noting that current emission reduction targets for 2030 set the world on a course for 2.4°C to 2.7°C of warming. However, he also shared a more optimistic outlook, observing that global emissions seemed to have peaked in 2023, with a strong chance of a decline in 2024. Emerging economies, including China, appeared to be nearing their own emissions peak, signaling a pivotal moment for sustainable growth.
Prof. Minpeng Chen of Renmin University of China addressed the progress in emissions reduction within the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sectors. She emphasized the critical need for sustainable practices in these industries to meet global climate goals. Dr. Xing Fan from the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) then delved into the role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in shaping international climate governance, calling for enhanced and coordinated efforts to meet the long-term targets set under the Paris Agreement.An open discussion rounded off the session, with Dr. Hare, Prof. Chen and Dr. Fan responding to questions from the participating students and encouraging them to actively push for stronger climate policies in their respective countries and globally.
The Sino-German Study Camp and the NextGen Climate Dialogues, supported and accompanied by GIZ, highlighted the critical role of youth in advancing climate action by combining technical training, policy insight, and expert dialogue. The events empowered young climate advocates to turn knowledge into action, emphasizing the significance of Sino-German cooperation in tackling global environmental challenges. As climate risks intensify, fostering international collaboration and equipping the next generation to shape climate policies are vital steps.
