Climate-KIC prioritises city-level EU-China collaboration

China’s President Xi has reaffirmed the importance of climate change and sustainable development with European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.

In a joint statement during Xi’s visit to Europe this week, the leaders singled out the EU-China Urbanisation Partnership as important and called for the relationships to be translated into concrete projects on the ground. Climate-KIC is one of twelve bilateral relationships recognised within the partnership.

Climate-KIC CEO Mary Ritter said: “We have prioritised the development of practical collaboration with China and are working closely with the European Commission, the EU Delegation in Beijing and a range of Chinese partners to form outcome-oriented relationships between the Climate-KIC network of partners and China.”

Through its relationship with Tianjin – the fourth largest city in China – Climate-KIC works on city-level initiatives on smart city development and green buildings. The EU-China Urbanisation Partnership was launched in May 2012 in Brussels and is intended to be a milestone in the strategic relations between China and the EU.

Ritter added: “We are working to form a bridge between Europe and China on climate and green economic development issues. Our network is very attractive to our Chinese partners – we have operations in twelve European countries and strong links with the cities and regions in our network.”

Climate-KIC brings together the best of Europe’s businesses, universities, and public sector organisations in a unique pan-European network.