Satellite event: Sino-German Study Camp on Climate and Energy Transitions - Second Edition

Amid growing geopolitical uncertainties, climate and environmental cooperation continues to serve as a critical bridge for EU–China strategic alignment—a principle reaffirmed in the most recent Joint EU-China statement on climate at the occasion of the EU-China summit in Beijing of 24 July 2025 in Beijing. In this context, the second edition of the "Sino-German Study Camp on Climate andEnergy Transition", co-organised by Technische Universität München (TUM) and Tsinghua University, with the support of GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für  Internationale Zusammenarbeit), aims to provide a key platform for policy-relevant knowledge exchange and academic diplomacy.

Building on decades of positive engagement in joint capacity building and environmental dialogue, the study programme gathers emerging leaders, scholars, and practitioners to explore the ecological transition from interdisciplinary, science-based, and policy perspectives. The comprehensive curriculum will cover topics including climate change, energy transitions, mobility, public outreach, and the deep decarbonisation of industrial supply chains, viewed through comparative lenses between China, Germany, and the EU-US shifting dynamics. 

These events strengthen contacts and enable exchange between young climate leaders from China, Germany, and other European nations, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle the global climate challenge. 

Public Climate Pact Selected Lectures: Open to Global Audiences Online To ensure broad outreach and engagement with civil society and the European Climate Pact community, selected lectures will be either streamed and be part of podcasts and communication materials released after the school.

While the campus activities and summer school will take place in person, the proposed satellite events will be accessible exclusively online. 

In particular: 

• Professor Zhang Jian Vice President, Tsinghua ICCSD "Climate Adaptation: China’s Resilience Strategies in a Changing World" An authoritative overview of China’s evolving strategies to climate-proof ecosystems, infrastructure, and economic systems in the face of global change.
• Arvea Marieni Director, Ecological Transition Engineering Solutions; European Climate Pact Ambassador (Italy & Belgium) "Linking European Climate Pact Actions to Global Transitions" Examining how grassroots EU climate actions interface with international decarbonisation efforts and governance frameworks.
• Xiaotong Chen PhD Candidate in Communication Studies "How Multiple Stakeholders Strategically Communicate to Promote Just Transition in China: Evidence from In-depth Interviews with Key Communicators" A deep dive into the role of communication in building stakeholder consensus for a fair and inclusive ecological transition in China. 

Further Featured Contributions Include:

• Professor Miranda Schreurs Comparative China–US–EU Climate Governance Perspectives
• Professor Valerie Karplus (Carnegie Mellon University) Deep Decarbonisation of Global Industrial and Manufacturing Supply Chains
• Professor Jörg Radtke Unpacking Local Energy Conflicts: PCommunication and Resistance in Germany’s Energy Transition Collaborative Activities and Dialogue Alongside academic sessions, the camp will include:
  • Introduction to GIZ and its role in Sino-European cooperation
  • Participant roundtables: personal expectations, impressions of climate action in China and Germany, and cross-cultural perceptions of global sustainability roles
  • Discussion groups to explore major sustainability challenges and potential solutions
  • Establishment of working groups and development of collaborative project ideas for the students Details regarding public lecture schedules and streaming links will be announced shortly. 

Format: Hybrid (in-person & selected open online lectures to ensure alignment with the European Climate Pact objectives) 

Thematic Focus: Climate governance, industrial decarbonisation, energy transitions, climate effective communication

Target Audience: Students, researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives