Germany’s environment minister Barbara Hendricks is convinced that China will play a constructive role at the upcoming UN climate summit in Paris. At the end of three days of political talks in Beijing, Hendricks said in a statement: "From the talks I got the impression that China does not intend to obstruct negotiations in Paris. The representatives I met in China have clearly signalled their intention to improve climate action." The main purpose of the minister’s visit was to attend the annual meeting of the China Council on International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) in her capacity as international vice chair. Hendricks also signed two agreements on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the areas of urbanisation and water resource management.
Hendricks stressed Beijing’s promise to push for a control mechanism in Paris that would ensure that the agreed objectives were revised every five years. The minister also welcomed China’s commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030 at the latest. In addition, Hendricks hoped that China would play the role of a mediator between developed and developing countries in Paris. In the margins of the annual CCICED meeting Hendricks met with China’s environment minister Chen Jining and exchanged views on the upcoming UN climate summit with representatives of Chinese NGOs.
At the annual CCICED meeting Hendricks shared the role of international vice chair with UNEP executive director Achim Steiner. CCICED is a forum where national and international experts jointly draw up policy recommendations on major environmental and development issues. Recommendations are directly sent to the Chinese state council (CCICED is subordinate to the state council). CCICED is chaired by China’s vice prime minister Zhang Gaoli. Germany’s environment ministry has been backing participation of German experts in the working groups for years. With a view to CCICED’s future work, Hendricks proposed the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, the SDGs adopted by the United Nations in September, as an important topic. Hendricks said: "The Council can promote the development of strategies in the fields of climate, environment and development especially in the context of the drafting of the next Chinese five-year plan to be adopted in 2016. German expertise plays an important role in this respect."
Hendricks and China’s building minister Chen Zhenggao signed a joint declaration on the Sino-German urbanisation partnership. The partnership focuses in particular on the exchange of experience and expertise in current issues of sustainable integrated urban development policy between both countries. One of its priorities is capacity building through technical training for Chinese and German experts (municipalities, companies, scientific institutions, associations). Topics covered range from fundamental aspects of integrated urban development, environmental protection, climate action, resource and energy efficiency and renewable energies to adaptation, water management, circular economy, sustainable transport and civic participation.
Hendricks added: "By involving the business sector, we expect the urbanisation partnership to offer technological progress for both countries, as well. Thanks to its innovative companies and research institutions, Germany can offer solutions for an urbanisation process that is sustainable, environmentally sound and climate-friendly."
Hendricks and China’s minister for water resources Chen Lei signed a joint declaration on further cooperation in the water sector. It focuses on eight water-related topics, including sustainable water resources management, the impact of climate change on water resources and related adaptation, flood prevention, the fight against droughts and emergency preparedness.