Reaching China’s climate goals faster

Context

China is the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2). The success or failure of its climate protection measures therefore has global implications. The Chinese Government has set far-reaching climate protection goals – to peak its emissions by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality for the country by 2060. To achieve this, China must reduce its dependency on energy-intensive industries, increase investment and pass robust climate legislation.

However, some regional and local authorities lack the skills needed to do this. There are also major differences between the provinces in terms of economic development, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and implementation of the necessary structural change.

Objective

China is implementing its national climate goals faster and therefore creating a basis for increasing its climate ambitions.

Approach

The project is implemented with partners from Germany and China, including the NewClimate Institute, Climate Analytics and China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.

The project has three areas of work:

• It facilitates exchange on decarbonisation pathways between experts from China, Germany and the European Union (EU).
• It assists project partners at the provincial level and in economic sectors in formulating GHG mitigation targets and strategies. It also shares international experience and knowledge so that emission pathways can be scientifically modelled and framed in regulatory terms.
• In Chinese provinces severely affected by climate change, the project supports the implementation of climate adaptation best practices.

The project also supports exchange and cooperation on climate legislation and finance so that China can realise its climate goals faster. As the interface for the International Climate Initiative (IKI) in China, it also organises annual network meetings.

Last update: February 2025