China’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) at a peaking of CO2 emissions until 2030, reducing the emission intensity of its economy (CO2 emissions per unit of GDP) by 60% to 65% compared to 2005-levels and increasing the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 20% in the same time frame.

On its path towards these goals, China needs ambitious provinces like Jiangsu which is a role model in driving low carbon development forward by aspiring to reach its carbon peak 5-10 years earlier. Furthermore, within the framework of the 13th Five-Year-Plan (FYP, 2016-2020) Jiangsu targets a reduction of carbon intensity 5-8% higher than the average national target. Further goals for reducing energy intensity (national target 15%, Jiangsu 18%) and carbon intensity (national target 18%, Jiangsu 19%) show Jiangsu’s ambitions.

Jiangsu province is highly industrialized and one of the most developed provinces in China; its population is comparable to Germany’s and its economic power comparable to the one of Switzerland.

The project supports its Chinese partners in enabling the transformation towards a low carbon economy, which is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and advances reaching the goals of the 13th / 14th FYP (2016-2020 / 2021-2025) of Jiangsu province as well as the early peaking of its CO2 emissions. At the local level, activities built on lessons learned during the previous project phases I and II. Supported by the provincial government, a sustainable network that persists beyond the duration of the project, will be established. It facilitates a long-term exchange between German and Chinese actors from industry, academia and politics as well as the discourse on coal phase-out. The project and the network will achieve sustainable capacity development through the introduction of methodological knowledge on how to build and manage knowledge networks and how to ensure financing. Furthermore, the necessary technical expertise required by stakeholders of the network will be provided. Results, best practices and proven impacts will contribute to the national and international dialogue on climate change.

In order to stabilize results of three project phases and to ensure the sustainability of knowledge transfer and capacity building regarding low carbon development, a permanent network structure will be created in the final phase of the project. The project will build capacity to enable network stakeholders to sustainably manage and finance the network. In addition, train-the-trainer programs are being established in the areas of climate protection and low carbon development, which are offered and implemented by the network stakeholders after the end of the project.

In the long-term, strengthened individual and institutional capacities will contribute to integrated planning of climate protection measures at local and provincial levels. By developing and establishing a sustainable structure to safeguard knowledge and capacity regarding low carbon development, the measures implemented as well as the project inputs will have an enduring impact and will support Jiangsu's climate strategies, and serve to achieve China’s NDC as well as the 2030 Agenda.