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Sino-German Environmental Partnership

The Sino-German Environmental Partnership supports the bilateral environmental policy dialogue through the exchange and advice on various topics since 2013.

Since 2013, the Sino-German Environmental Partnership has supported bilateral environmental policy dialogue through the exchange of experience and advice on various specialist topics. Thereby, the project enhances institutional and individual capacities through training, the exchange of personnel, and knowledge transfer, to best prepare China for its future as a transformed “Ecological Civilization” and its path towards a “Beautiful China”.

The partnership is overseen by the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) of the People’s Republic of China. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is responsible for implementing the Sino-German Environmental Partnership, which is funded through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of BMUKN.

OUR FOCUS AREAS

Air

Water

Soil

Biodiversity

Sustainable Consumption

Sustainable Production

ACTIVITIES

The First Steering Committee Meeting of the Subregional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centre for Asia and the Pacific under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and International Technical and Scientific Cooperation Workshop on Biodiversity was held on 23 May 2026 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
Focusing on the scientific and technological needs of biodiversity conservation in the Asia-Pacific region, the workshop aimed to advance the implementation of the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through regional collaboration and technological innovation.

The broad participation of stakeholders from government, international organizations, academia, civil society, and protected area management institutions demonstrated the strong collective commitment of society as a whole to biodiversity governance.

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On 25-26 May 2026 the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) Roundtable convened in Xiamen, Fujian Province, under the theme “Harmony Between Humanity and the Ocean: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth”. Bringing together policymakers, researchers, and international experts, the event explored pathways for strengthening global ocean governance, accelerating the green and low-carbon transition of marine industries, and advancing the development of Beautiful Bays. Discussions highlighted the importance of international cooperation, marine biodiversity conservation, and sustainable blue economy development. The roundtable reaffirmed CCICED’s commitment to promoting policy dialogue and practical solutions that contribute to advancing ocean sustainability.

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On 29 January 2026, a new China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) special policy study (SPS) was kicked off, focusing on advancing high-quality development through circular economy with smart digitalisation. The 2026 SPS is co-led by CCICED Special Advisor Ilka Hirt, Deputy Director-General of the International Policy of the BMUKN, and CCICED Special Advisor Hu Qing, Professor of the Southern University of Science and Technology.

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News

30.05.2026

In May 2026, the General Office of the State Council and the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) respectively released their “2026 Legislative Work Plans”. The Plans outline the priorities for the State Council’s and NPCSC’s legislative work throughout the year, including legislative projects scheduled for review, drafting, amendment, or further research.

From an environmental and natural resources perspective, both Plans are particularly noteworthy, as they signal a number of regulations and legal revisions that are expected to be drafted, revised, or accelerated in 2026. These developments provide important insights into China’s environmental policy priorities and legislative direction in the coming years.

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https://www.moj.gov.cn/pub/sfbgw/gwxw/xwyw/202605/t20260511_534682.html
30.04.2026

Green design is becoming a cornerstone of China’s circular economy strategy, recognizing that up to 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design stage. Building on more than a decade of pilots and standards, China is shifting from resource efficiency toward designing products for durability, reuse, and recyclability.

New Green Design Guidelines issued in April 2026 establish a common framework for industry, outlining 11 core design principles, sector-specific guidance across 15 industries, and enabling measures including AI, standards, talent development, and international cooperation to accelerate the transition to greener manufacturing.

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https://www.miit.gov.cn/zwgk/zcwj/wjfb/tz/art/2026/art_0e02aa4c9dfe40c0ae322af3c185eed6.html
17.06.2025

On 17 June 2025, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Comprehensively Promoting the Protection and Governance of Rivers and Lakes. This is China’s first top-level policy providing a unified framework for river and lake governance. It sets out six key areas and introduces three core subsystems for modern flood-disaster prevention. By 2035, the policy aims to strengthen flood control, safeguard drinking-water sources and restore aquatic ecosystems, while promoting water-related culture and improving governance mechanisms. It builds on the Yangtze (2021) and Yellow River (2022) Protection Laws.

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https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202506/content_7029509.htm