From 10 to 14 November 2025, the Sino-German Legal Cooperation Programme of GIZ, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), organised a study visit to Germany and the Netherlands for a delegation of the Legislative Affairs Commission (LAC) of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The focus of the Visit was the legal framework for energy conservation. The five-member delegation was led by Ms Ma Zhengping, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Civil Law. The aim of the visit was to support the ongoing reform of China’s Energy Conservation Law, which was first adopted in 1997 and last revised in 2018. During the visit, European experiences and international best practices in energy conservation policy and legislation were examined in depth and discussed with relevant expert institutions.
The programme began in Berlin with a lecture by Mr Simon Göß (SG Consult), who provided a structured overview of the European and German electricity and energy markets, including the key legal foundations, market organisation and principal stakeholders. He explained the functioning of the liberalised electricity market, in particular the significance of the day-ahead and intraday markets, as well as the growing importance of direct marketing of renewable energy. A particular focus was placed on the systemic challenges of the energy transition, such as increasing electricity price volatility and the occurrence of negative prices as a result of limited system flexibility. The delegation showed strong interest in the causes of negative prices and their regulatory implications.
In the afternoon, following welcome remarks by Mr Adrian Loets, Deputy Head of Division for Bilateral Climate and Energy Cooperation at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), Mr Tim Schreiber, Deputy Head of Division for Fundamental and Legal Issues of Energy Efficiency, presented the key elements of the new Energy Efficiency Act. He explained the national energy efficiency targets, the obligations for federal and private entities, the requirements for energy and environmental management systems, as well as the tightened regulations on energy efficiency and waste heat utilisation in data centres. Subsequently, Mr Friedemann Scholten, Deputy Head of Division for Legal Affairs on Building Energy, introduced the revised EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). He outlined the new requirements for zero-emission buildings, minimum standards for non-residential buildings, the national renovation plan, and the planned database for the overall energy performance of buildings. The delegation expressed particular interest in the efficiency and waste heat requirements for data centres and the envisaged energy performance database. Both sides underlined the importance of continued exchange on energy conservation and an effective building energy policy.
On the second day, the delegation gained an in-depth technical perspective on Germany’s strategies for energy conservation and energy efficiency. Mr Robert Westermann, Head of the International Cooperation Division at the German Energy Agency (dena), introduced the role, organisational structure and areas of work of dena on the EUREF Campus, including its projects on building modernisation and cross-sectoral energy planning. Subsequently, Mr Thilo Gunz, Head of the International Neighbourhoods Division at dena, and Dr Yang Yang, Senior Expert for International Construction at dena, explained key instruments for the Decarbonisation of the Building Stock, such as integrated building concepts, energy efficiency measures, the use of renewable energy, and quality standards in the renovation process. They also presented relevant funding mechanisms as well as the German Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings (QNG). The Chinese delegation showed particular interest in the costs and incentives associated with zero-emission buildings, especially in the context of high energy prices.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the EUREF Campus in Berlin to gain practical insights into innovative energy and building solutions. As part of a thematic tour on the energy transition, participants were introduced to the key technologies, demonstration projects and infrastructure concepts that position the campus as a model district for climate-neutral urban development. Subsequently, the delegation took part in a technical meeting with Stiebel Eltron on the topic of heat pumps, during which technological developments, application scenarios, as well as challenges and funding mechanisms in the field of heat pump technology were discussed.
The second stage of the study Visit took the delegation to the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, the delegation visited the law firm Kneppelhout, where they met with Managing Partner Job Bezemer as well as Mr Zheng Lin and Ms Li Peiying from the firm’s China Practice. The discussions began with an overview of the Dutch legal system, followed by an exchange on key issues of energy law and current challenges of the energy transition—particularly the rapid expansion of renewable energy and the resulting problems of solar power overproduction.
On the final day of the Visit, the delegation held a technical discussion with Dr Christophe Bernasconi, Secretary General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), and Ms Zhao Ning, Senior Legal Officer at the HCCH. The Secretary General first outlined the structure, working methods and current strategic priorities of the organisation. Ms Zhao then presented several ongoing HCCH initiatives, in particular the Carbon Markets Project, which examines private international law issues related to carbon markets and cross-border emissions trading mechanisms.
The study visit provided the delegation with valuable insights into European approaches to energy conservation, energy efficiency and building decarbonisation. The delegation gained numerous technical impulses and best practices that will be directly beneficial for the further development of China’s Energy Conservation Law and for future reforms in the country’s energy and climate policy.