By Yu Min, Yang Yan & Chen Jianpeng, Research Team on “Policy Implementation Mechanism by EU for Addressing Environment and Climate Change”, Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, DRC

Research Report, No. 59, 2020 (Total 5803) 2020-3-26

Abstract: Recently, DRC sent a study group to Belgium and Germany on policy implementation mechanism for addressing environment and climate change in European Union (EU) and Germany. The study results show that both EU and Germany have paid high attention to the improvement of mechanism for environmental monitoring system, policy appraisal and fiscal subsidies relating to environment and have made remarkably results through implementing the scientific and effective policies. In response to climate change, EU has used both carbon-market and noncarbon-market policy tools to cut emissions, while Germany has established a climate cabinet to deal with climate change at multiple levels. The rollout of European Green Deal has added to the importance of climate change response in the EU agenda. To draw on EU and German experience, China needs to give full play to the role of scientific assessment in policy-making through a communication mechanism across different ministries and relevant governmental departments. Successful law-based climate policies need to be formulated in due time in order to tap into their effect. Meanwhile, by taking the opportunity of climate cooperation, China needs to make efforts to reinforce Sino-EU relationship.

Key words: environmental policies, climate policies, implementation mechanisms, European Union (EU)