Comparative analysis of climate governance in China and Germany

Climate change is one of the major challenges facing humankind today. Responding to climate change is a common cause of humanity, and its urgency indicates that the world must endeavor together to combat this serious challenge. As countries with significant influence in global climate governance, China and Germany share a common vision in actively tackling climate change. Exploring the experience and practice of climate governance in both countries is of great significance in promoting the implementation of nationally determined contribution, providing lessons for other countries, and improving global climate governance. Focusing on the key components of China’s and Germany’s climate governance systems, this study reviews their practice of multi-level climate governance in terms of policy frameworks, policy instruments, political steering, and local actions, and attaches importance to the role and potential of national and local governments in climate action planning and implementing. By contrasting the characteristics of China’s and Germany’s climate governance systems, their experience is drawn on to propose the insights and recommendations for improving climate governance at the national level, which includes: strengthening the mandatory and binding nature of climate goals, decomposing national carbon emission targets scientifically, establishing regular monitoring and reporting mechanisms, improving the construction of emission trading system, and emphasizing local governments’ innovativeness in climate actions.