As part of global efforts to combat climate change and to foster Sino-German collaboration in the fields of cement and transportation emissions mitigation, the project “Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – NDC Implementation” hosted a study tour to Germany and Belgium from 9 to 16 April 2025. The study tour provided a platform for dialogue of Chinese representatives – from provincial Departments of Ecology and Environment, local research institutes of the project’s partner provinces of Anhui, Hunan and Sichuan as well as the private sector – with their peers in Germany and the EU. It facilitated the exchange of experiences regarding policy frameworks, regulatory mechanisms, and innovative solutions for the decarbonisation of the cement and transport sectors, two of the largest contributors to global CO2 emissions. While strengthening the climate mitigation knowledge of key stakeholders through in-person exchanges, the tour also contributed to mutual understanding and learning. This article summarises the study tour and presents key takeaways.
The cement and transport sectors are critical to global efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as both contribute significantly to global CO2 emissions. The cement industry is responsible for approximately 7-8% of global carbon emissions, mainly due to chemical processes involved in cement production. The transport sector also accounts for a substantial share of global emissions, with road transport alone contributing to nearly 15% of global CO2 emissions. For both sectors, a well-coordinated approach is crucial to establish the policy framework necessary to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon future. To support international exchange and cooperation in this regard, the NDC Implementation project works with stakeholders at national and provincial level in China. Through workshops, studies and exchange opportunities such as this study tour, the project supports provincial research institutes in Anhui, Hunan and Sichuan in developing CO2 emission reduction pathways for the cement and transport sectors which will serve as a basis for preparing policy recommendations for local decisionmakers.
Accelerating low-carbon solutions in the cement sector: strategy, policy, and systemic transformation
During the study tour, the participants visited several institutions that work to advance decarbonisation: among them the think tank Agora Industry, the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the European Commission. While sharing insights into European approaches the institutions also gained perspectives on how China addresses the challenge. Discussions centred around systemic approaches, including circular economy strategies as well the policy regulatory frameworks necessary to drive decarbonisation in the cement sector.
Agora Industry presented key strategies and measures to make the cement and concrete value chains more circular, such as efficient use of building materials, recycling of raw materials and structural elements, and a longer use of buildings and infrastructure. While circularity and material efficiency are crucial, a certain level of emissions is considered unavoidable in the cement sector. Therefore, cement is one of the few sectors where Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) should also be prioritized.
The meeting with German Environment Agency (UBA) introduced Germany’s strategies for a socially acceptable and just transition. Michael Marty, Head of the Department of Sustainable Production, Resource Conservation and Material Cycles, shared insights into decarbonisation projects in Germany, Europe and worldwide, and the policies and regulatory frameworks driving cement decarbonisation across Germany. Dr. Klara Winkler underlined the need for a just transition and explained how the EU’s “Just Transition” framework supports affected regions to achieve sustainable economic and social development. She highlighted that Germany is undergoing an enormous transformation to meet its 2050 climate neutrality goal and elaborated on how Germany, under the European Green Deal, is driving low-carbon cement production through policy support as well as innovations in processes and technology. At the same time, the visitors also introduced the status of cement sector decarbonisation in China, specifically Anhui province’s development pathways to achieve low-carbon transformation by phasing out outdated production capacities, improving energy efficiency, and adopting innovative technologies. What followed was a lively discussion between the representatives of UBA and the delegation on commonalities and differences between the two countries when facing the challenges of decarbonisation.
A key exchange was held with the European Commission in Belgium. Andreas Zenthofer from the Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) presented the EU’s emissions trading system (EU ETS) and its role within the EU Green Deal and Fit for 55 Package, as well as the new ETS2 for buildings, road transport and non-ETS industry fuels. To support innovation in fields such as energy-intensive industries and net-zero mobility, the EU has established the Innovation Fund, an instrument funded by the EU ETS. Currently, the fund supports 16 cement and lime projects, mostly focusing on CCS. During the meeting, the participants also discussed developments and challenges of cement sector decarbonisation in China. Zhou Xin, from the Sichuan Academy of Environmental Policy and Planning, highlighted the slow pace of low-carbon transformation in the sector in Sichuan due to overcapacity in the region, prominent structural imbalances, and the limited use of low-carbon fuels such as biomass.
Roadmaps for cement sector decarbonisation: Meeting with CEMBUREAU and the Global Cement and Concrete Association
During a meeting with CEMBUREAU and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) at the GIZ offices in Brussels, the participants discussed challenges faced by the cement and concrete industries in both Europe and China and explored pathways and policies to address them.
Both industry associations presented their roadmaps for decarbonisation. CEMBUREAU laid out the vision to store 12 million tons of CO2 across the EU by 2030 and to reach about 60% clinker to cement ratio by 2050. GCCA’s global roadmap describes how the industry can reduce emissions through innovations in materials, cement production processes, and the incorporation of sustainable practices. Zhao Xudong, Project Lead at the China Cement Association, also shared challenges faced by the industry in China, including overcapacity, limited utilization of alternative fuels and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology, and the difficulties in reducing process emissions.
The meeting also featured an in-depth discussion on the role of policy in driving these changes. Experts from both Europe and China emphasized the importance of coordinated international efforts and effective regulations to support the transition towards a low-carbon economy. Participants agreed that the successful implementation of any decarbonisation roadmap also requires continued investment in research and development, particularly in CCUS technologies, as well as greater exchange and collaboration across the globe.
Innovations for sustainable cement: insights from the industry
For a practical exchange on emission reduction strategies and concrete measures the delegation met with CEMEX and KHD Humboldt Wedag, who introduced their approaches for achieving sustainability, transformation, and carbon management in the cement industry.
CEMEX highlighted their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality at one pilot plant by 2030, including the integration of alternative fuels such as biomass and waste-derived materials as well as carbon capture and storage technologies. KHD, a company specialising in equipment and services for the cement industry, demonstrated how advanced co-processing techniques enable the efficient use of waste and alternative fuels. The company also showcased how digitalisation and AI can contribute to the optimisation of production processes, improve energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
Sustainable transport: meetings with Wuppertal Institute and Agora Verkehrswende
Apart from cement sector decarbonisation, the study tour also facilitated the Sino-German exchange on low-carbon solutions for the transport sector. Together with experts from Wuppertal Institute and Agora Verkehrswende (Transport Transformation), the participants discussed Germany’s pathways to climate neutral mobility.
Wuppertal Institute introduced their work on sustainable transport and transformative living labs for testing and co-developing solutions in real-life environments, such as participatory approaches for designing eco-zones in different neighbourhoods (e.g. Berlin and Quito).
Christian Hochfeld, Executive Director of Agora Verkehrswende, presented recommendations how Germany’s transport sector could reach carbon neutrality by 2045. He proposed detailed steps such as shifting to public transport, non-motorised transport and collaborative mobility, increasing car and truck electrification, as well as shifting freight transport from road to rail.
Study tour takeaways
The study tour provided a platform for exchange and dialogue on the state-of-play of decarbonisation strategies and action in the cement and transport industry in China, Germany and the EU. To support the transformational shift, a comprehensive long-term decarbonisation strategy supported by industry-specific regulations as well as strong policy frameworks – such as circular economy strategies, emissions trading systems, and just transition mechanisms – is necessary.
Participants returned with fresh ideas and new networks that will inform policymaking at subnational level. As a next step, the participating provincial research institutes will develop carbon emission pathways and policy recommendations for the provincial governments concerning the cement sector (Anhui and Sichuan) and transport sector (Hunan). The collaboration between Germany, the EU and China will play a pivotal role in driving global progress toward achieving climate goals, especially in transport and cement, which remain among the most carbon-intensive sectors worldwide.
The International Climate Initiative (IKI) project “Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – NDC Implementation” is a bilateral cooperation project commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), cooperating with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China (MEE) and jointly implemented by GIZ and China’s National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC). The project has a particular focus on mitigation and adaptation at the subnational level to advance the implementation of China’s climate targets, thereby laying the foundation for raising ambition for its next NDC and strong climate action in the upcoming 15th Five-Year-Plan period.
