As part of the “NextGen Climate Dialogues” series, the Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – Climate Partnership project has recently organised three dialogues at Beijing University of Technology, Peking University, and Tsinghua University, providing students with a platform to engage in open discussions with experts and leaders in the climate field.
International policy comparisons in the global climate regime
On 20th October 2025, students gathered at the Beijing University of Technology to engage with Professor Miranda Schreurs, Head of Climate and Environmental Policy at the Technical University of Munich, on the topic of “International Climate Negotiations and Recent Developments in China, the EU, and the USA.” During her presentation, Professor Schreurs emphasised the power of narratives, such as the “American Dream” and China’s “Ecological Civilisation,” and discussed the role these narratives play in mobilising people for climate action.
In her analysis, Professor Schreurs highlighted both the differences and similarities between the climate policies of the US, the EU, and China. She suggested that the EU and China are increasingly aligning in their approaches to climate policy, particularly in transitioning from a linear to a circular economy. The session prompted lively student engagement, with attendees actively asking questions and sharing their thoughts on the topic.
The role of market-based mechanisms for the green transition
The second NextGen Dialogue took place at Peking University on 27thOctober, where Professor Frank Jotzo, a leading environmental economist and climate change expert from the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Public Policy, delivered a keynote speech on “Clean Energy Transition and Industrial Decarbonisation: The Crucial Role of Carbon Pricing and Open Trade for Net Zero Emissions”.
Offering an Australian perspective, Professor Jotzo painted the policy and economic picture of how the world can decarbonize through transition to clean energy, including for heavy industry processes. Australia is an example of rapid transition from coal to solar and wind energy on the power grid, using innovative policy approaches which may provide insights for China. With its huge potential for production of zero-emissions industrial commodities, including ‘green’ iron which could in future feed steel mills in China and elsewhere in Asia, Australia could play an active role in shaping the sustainable global geography of heavy industries in the future. The discussion sparked a dynamic exchange between Professor Jotzo and students, covering topics such as carbon pricing, emissions trading, and the importance of open trade frameworks.
A call for urgent action by the Club of Rome and possibilities for youth engagement
On 31st October 2025, as part of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate’s (GAUC) “Global Youth Summit on a Net Zero Future,” the third NextGen Dialogue was held at Tsinghua University. Leading up to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the youth summit brought together experts and representatives from organisations such as the Wuppertal Institute, the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Beijing Community, and different youth delegates.
At the summit, Professor Peter Hennicke, former Director of the Wuppertal Institute and member of the Club of Rome, introduced the Earth4All initiative. Launched in 2022 and building on the legacy of the Club of Rome, Earth4All advocates for systemic economic change to promote sustainable development and social equity within the planet’s ecological boundaries. Professor Hennicke outlined two potential scenarios: “Too Little, Too Late,” where the world faces a poly-crisis, and “The Giant Leap,” an optimistic approach to sustainable development based on well-being and planetary health.
Following Professor Hennicke’s speech, a detailed overview of the GAUC’s annual “Climate x” Campaign was presented. This was followed by the “Youth Climate Talk,” where industry experts and youth representatives shared their practical experiences in sustainable development and provided advice on how young people can actively engage in climate action.
To conclude the summit, a panel discussion on green transitions and youth empowerment took place. The panel featured Associate Professor Hu Bin, Director of Global Climate Governance Research at Tsinghua University’s Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development; Dr. Janto Hess, Project Director of the Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – Climate Partnership at GIZ East Asia; Mr. Zhao Zheng from Airbus China’s Sustainability Team; and Mr. Ilias Laroussi, Founder of the Beijing Eco-Hub.
The panellists shared valuable insights on youth engagement, advising attendees to build strong professional networks, develop irreplaceable technical skills, and maintain optimism and a solution-oriented mindset despite the challenges of climate action.
