On 31 March and 1 April 2026, the 12th Meeting of the Sino-German Track II Dialogue (T2D) on Climate Change and Sustainable Development brought together experts from China and Germany. The dialogue was jointly hosted by the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
As a long-standing platform for science-based exchange, the Track II Dialogue continues to play a central role in fostering mutual understanding and providing in-depth expert advice on the effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The 12th meeting marked both the conclusion of Phase II and the beginning of Phase III of the dialogue.
Strengthening bilateral climate cooperation amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics
Both Mr. Xia, Director General of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment’s (MEE) Climate Change Department as well as Ms. Henn, Head of Germany’s Directorate-General for International Climate Policy, German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), highlighted the growing relevance of Sino-German cooperation in climate change, especially in the light of complex geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and challenges to multilateral cooperation. In that sense, climate governance has entered a critical phase, which requires strengthened international cooperation, sustained ambition, and closer alignment between science and policy.
The exchange brought together a network of leading research and policy institutions from both countries, including the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Öko-Institut, Agora Energiewende, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC), the Tsinghua University, as well as academic experts from the Development Research Centre of the State Council, China’s National Climate Center, the Peking University, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation and the University of Stuttgart. Discussions were co-chaired by Mr. CHEN Zhihua (NCSC) and Mr. Dirk MESSNER (UBA), highlighting the joint leadership and of both institutions, while the diverse institutional landscape facilitated an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented nature of the dialogue.
From Phase II results to the Phase III agenda
The focus of the meeting included the review of Phase II results and the identification of priorities for Phase III. During Phase II, T2D participants were organised in working groups with a respective thematic focus. In their working groups, participants generated a wide range of outputs, including joint research papers, expert workshops, and contributions to international climate processes such as COP events.
Across different thematic focuses, the working groups agreed on the growing importance of integrated approaches: climate change mitigation can no longer be addressed in isolation but needs to be integrated with various other policy areas.
Track II participants will continue their work in Phase III in following thematic working streams:
- Working Group 1: Multilateral Mechanisms and Climate Finance Accounting
- Working Group 2: Data and Transparency
- Working Group 3: Adaptation and Loss&Damage
- Working Group 4: Biodiversity and Climate/NbS
- Focus Topic 1: Transformative Climate Action, Legislation, and Just Transition
- Focus Topic 2: National and International Carbon Markets
Moreover, the groups shared perspectives on strategic considerations for Phase III, which emphasise the need to shift towards more implementation-oriented cooperation and policy relevance. A central objective of Phase III is therefore the closer alignment between Track II and Track I. Referring to the official diplomatic exchange between (here: Chinese and German) governments and ministries, Track I diplomacy is strengthened by Track II dialogues as a knowledge and advisory platform.
To this end, key mechanisms include a regular and systematic engagement with ministries and policymakers as well as structured reporting of discussion outcomes to relevant authorities. In addition, the preparation of concise, policy-oriented briefs and recommendations tailored to ongoing negotiations are foreseen, alongside the strategic timing of outputs to inform key policy milestones. Contributions at high-level political forums such as the COP conferences remain important channels to influence multilateral processes with Track II insights and amplify its impact beyond the bilateral context.
Site visits and practical exchange
On April 1st, participants complemented the discussions of the previous day with a visit to the National Energy Group New Energy Technology Research Institute for an exchange on the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies and projects. This was followed by a visit to Xiaomi’s Super Factory, for insights and conversations on effective decarbonisation and China’s electric vehicle manufacturing.
Overall, the meeting reaffirmed the value of the Sino-German Track II Dialogue as a platform for trust-based exchange, joint learning, and sustained bilateral engagement as a contribution to multilateral solutions.
