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Sino-German Track-II-Dialogue on Climate Change & Sustainability

12th T2D Beijing Plenary Meeting
The 12th T2D Beijing Plenary Meeting marks the start of Phase III (2026-2029).
Source: Stephan Thurm (UBA)

The Sino-German Track II Dialogue (T2D) on Climate Change and Sustainable Development was launched in December 2020. It is a central exchange format for German and Chinese scientists to support the ministerial dialog.

Table of contents

Goals

The aim of the dialog is to support the bilateral dialog between the two countries at ministerial level (Track I) with scientific expertise. It offers opportunities to create a common understanding and joint learning at the scientific level. It provides science-based advice for the negotiations of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and contributes to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.

The Sino-German T2D serves as an independent forum for scientific dialog on pressing climate issues. In this function, the T2D aims to: 

  • Provide a regular platform for discussions to enhance mutual understanding of experts and policy supporting teams from both sides
  • Support the ministerial dialogue through the formulation of policy recommendations
  • Provide an opportunity for mutual learning and to share best practices on both sides
  • Provide advice on the domestic implementation of UNFCCC negotiation outcomes and Paris Agreement policies in both countries
  • Achieve an understanding on what kind of research, international cooperation and national instruments best serve the implementation of the Paris Agreement
  • Exchange views and achieve understanding on the current political context of climate and sustainable development policies

During its first two phases (2020 – 2023, 2023 – 2026), the T2D was implemented by the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) in China and the German Environment Agency (UBA), as the lead agencies designated by the Chinese and German governments. The T2D receives active support by GIZ, both in China and in Germany.

The commissioning ministry is the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).

Phase One

In phase one (2020 – 2023), four working groups were established on defined topics: Green Recovery/Transition, Emissions Trading, Scenarios and Modelling for Long-Term Emissions Reduction Strategies, and Enhancing Emissions Data Quality. From 2020 to 2023, six T2D Steering Committee meetings as well as various working group meetings, have taken place within the T2D. The working groups carried out various joint research activities and presented their findings in the Steering Group meetings. On 10th November 2022, a side event including a high-level segment with the Chinese and German Climate Envoys was successfully held at the Chinese Pavilion during COP27 held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, as a display of the achievement of Sino-German cooperation on climate issues.

In April 2023, NCSC, UBA and experts of both sides closed T2D phase one and launched phase two. 

Der Deutsch-Chinesische Track-II-Dialog zu Klimawandel und Nachhaltiger Entwicklung 9th Plenary Meeting of the T2D in Potsdam, October 2024
Source: Tim Schubert (UBA)

Phase Two

In phase two (2023-2026), the T2D works on a broad variety of topics: Long-term Strategy and Just Transition, Data and Transparency, Loss and Damage Resulted from Climate Change, Biodiversity and Climate, Multilateral Negotiations/ UNFCCC, Carbon Markets/ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Outputs include policy papers and the facilitation of expert workshops. Since the COVID pandemic subsided, in-person plenary sessions have been possible twice a year since 2023. The German side hosted Chinese delegations in Dessau-Roßlau in October 2023, in Potsdam in October 2024 and in Berlin in September 2025. In addition, the T2D hosted side events at COP 28 in Dubai, UAE, (German Pavilion), at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, (Chinese Pavilion) and at COP 30 in Belém, Brasil, (German Pavilion). The in-person meetings benefited the building of trust between both sides and supported the scientific activities in all teams. As to this, the T2D hosted public events on the side of its Steering Committee meetings. 

Phase Three

The third phase of T2D will run from 2026 to 2029. Germany and China have agreed on the following topics, which will be addressed in working groups and during plenary sessions: Multilateral Mechanisms and Climate Finance Accounting (developed further from Phase II: 'Multilateral Negotiations/UNFCCC'), Data Transparency (continuation), Biodiversity and Climate (continuation), Adaptation and Loss & Damage (developed further from Phase II), Transformative Climate Action and Just Transition, National and International Carbon Markets. In addition to the T2D's core tasks—developing policy recommendations for German and Chinese ministries on the selected topics, and facilitating direct bilateral scientific exchange—the dialogue's calendar firmly establishes twice-yearly plenary meetings, participation in UNFCCC COPs through side events, and invitations to public events. Published work results can be found on this webpage.

Involved Institutions

In phase two and three, experts from the following institutions contribute to the German side of the T2D: 

  • Öko Institut
  • Agora Energiewende
  • Universität Stuttgart
  • Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie (IMBE)
  • Umweltbundesamt (UBA)

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Short link: https://www.uba.de/n115285en