On Saturday, China and Germany held their first high-level dialogue on climate change and green transition in Beijing. Zheng Shanjie, chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, and German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck led the talks. The two sides reached five key cooperation outcomes.
They agreed to initiate subnational cooperation on green transformation, with Jiangsu Province partnering with Baden-Wurttemberg and Sichuan Province with North Rhine-Westphalia. A 2024 work plan was formulated for the bilateral working group on energy efficiency. The NDRC and Germany’s environment ministry outlined upcoming events for implementing the China-Germany action plan on circular economy and resource efficiency.
Green transition cooperation outcomes
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Germany’s Economics Ministry decided to establish a working group on industrial carbon reduction. The National Energy Conservation Center and the German Agency for International Cooperation will collaborate on energy efficiency demonstration projects in key sectors.
China dismissed claims of overcapacity in its green industry as protectionism. Protectionism will only drag down the global response to climate change and the process of green and low-carbon transition,” Zheng said. Habeck acknowledged rising protectionism worldwide and warned that production restrictions would harm the global economy.
The dialogue is expected to expand common ground, enhance mutual trust, and ensure differences don’t hinder long-term green cooperation benefiting China, the EU, and the world.
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