As the Sino-German Cooperation on Climate Change – NDC Implementation (NDCI) project enters its final phase, key stakeholders gathered in Beijing on 15 October to take stock of progress, reflect on achievements, and discuss lessons learned from the past years of collaboration. The event brought together political partners, local research institutes and international experts to recognise the outcomes and impact of one of the flagship projects of climate cooperation between China and Germany.
A five-year journey of cooperation
Launched in 2020 as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Government and jointly implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), the project has supported China’s efforts to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate goals under the 14th Five-Year Plan.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project pioneered online exchanges and remote training, later intensifying in-person collaboration as travel resumed. Backed by strong political support, the project scaled up its activities at the subnational level, extending its cooperation with Chinese provinces to a total of eight (an introduction to the focus of work in each province can be found here).
Throughout its implementation, the NDCI project fostered exchange between Chinese, German and European stakeholders on climate governance, mitigation, adaptation, and climate finance. It strengthened technical and institutional capacities at national and subnational levels to support early peaking, long-term decarbonisation, climate risk assessments, and adaptation planning. In addition, through its function as IKI Interface, the project promoted exchange and networking among IKI-funded projects in China.
Key achievements and impacts
During the workshop, experts from international and Chinese research institutions shared selected findings from the research conducted as part of the project, some of which have already served as a reference for provincial and national policymaking.
Ms. Xing Baiying, Director of the Division of Strategy, Department of Climate Change, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), highlighted the project’s role in providing valuable policy recommendations and good practices. Several research outputs received endorsement at the ministerial level within China’s MEE demonstrating the project’s influence on high-level decision-making.
The following examples showcase some of the key results that were introduced during the workshop:
Climate governance and legislation
In the past years, the project facilitated exchanges between German and Chinese experts and officials on climate policy, legislation, and institutional coordination to strengthen the foundation for climate action in China. During the workshop, NCSC presented results from its study examining Germany’s long-term low-emission strategy and its relevance for China’s climate governance. This research explored approaches for establishing and improving a total carbon emissions control system, breaking down and implementing emission reduction targets.
Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
The project cooperated with sectoral partners and seven provinces (Anhui, Guangdong, Hunan, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shaanxi, Shandong, and Sichuan) to support local efforts in emission reduction and decarbonisation, including in the transport and cement sectors. During the workshop, the Anhui Academy of Ecological and Environmental Science presented results from research on emission reduction policies in the cement industry in support of the formulation of carbon emission reduction pathways and targets for the industrial sector in the Anhui Province’s 15th Five-Year Plan for Climate Change Response. In addition, Qilu University of Technology shared findings on methane emissions in Shandong Province, which provided a crucial basis for drafting provincial policies regarding methane emission control in the energy, agricultural, and waste management sectors.
Adaptation to the impacts of climate change
To support the development and implementation of local-level adaptation policies and action plans, the project worked together with local governments and research centres in three Chinese provinces (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Shaanxi, and Sichuan). During the workshop, the Sichuan Institute of Environmental Policy Research and Planning presented studies on urban resilience in Chengdu and adaptation planning in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Results of both local and international research have already contributed to policy-making, such as the formulation of the Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of Sichuan Province (2025-2035). NCSC also introduced their research on coastal carbon sinks and nature-based solutions, exploring the links between mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Climate finance
The project worked together with partner regions and cities in China to improve their climate investment and finance strategies and their access to climate finance in line with local needs. It facilitated international symposiums and policy dialogues in various local climate finance and investment pilots, including in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Beijing. By providing best-practice examples from Germany and the EU on city climate finance, corporate carbon accounting and other topics, the project informed and strengthened the competence of local decisionmakers and relevant stakeholders to mobilize and leverage additional investments for climate action.
Looking ahead
The project’s scope, spanning provinces, sectors, and institutions, enabled collaboration and cross-sectoral learning, contributing to the development of practical approaches for achieving climate goals. Expert exchanges and research supported the development of implementation strategies and policies to advance China’s goals of carbon peaking and neutrality.
China’s updated NDC targets, announced on 24 September 2025, expand the coverage of sectors and greenhouse gases, with a new ambition to reduce emissions from peak levels by 2035. Sino-German climate cooperation will continue to support China’s efforts to decarbonize with both countries poised to benefit from the exchange on effective policies and technologies enabling the transformation.
