The fifth meeting of the Sino-German Working Group on Climate Change took place on 28 September 2014 in Beijing. The meeting was headed on the German side by Franjosef Schafhausen, Director-General for Climate Policy, European and International Policy in the BMUB, and on the Chinese side by Mr Su Wei, Director-General at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The working group on climate change was established on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation to combat climate change which was signed in 2009 by both governments during the visit to Germany of then Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
The topics
The fifth meeting focused on the international climate negotiations, in particular the preparations for the COPs in 2014 in Lima and 2015 in Paris, and on national climate strategies and measures. Topics discussed included the progress made in low-emission pilot regions and cities and emissions trading. The workshop also looked at developments in the ongoing bilateral projects under the BMUB's International Climate Initiative, which are especially concerned with climate action in the transport and building sectors, emissions trading, greenhouse gas monitoring and activities under the Sino-German Environmental Partnership. The dialogue was constructive and open, making the talks a great success. Both parties expressed an interest in intensifying cooperation in the fields of climate and environmental protection.
Bilateral Talks
In the run-up to and following the meeting there were a number of bilateral talks with key Chinese partners, for instance in the Foreign Office, Environment Ministry, Trade Ministry, the Ministry for Buildings, Rural and Urban Development and with representatives of government think tanks and German businesses. It was apparent that despite differing circumstances, Germany and China face similar challenges on some environmental and climate issues. Examples include new market mechanisms to reduce emissions, the expansion of decentralised grid structures for the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency in the buildings sector and the fields of public procurement, public participation and product certification. Sustainable urban development was one area where the working group saw new potential for cooperation.
The next meeting of the working group will take place in Germany in 2015.