The Sino-German Environmental Partnership Phase II (SGEP) promotes the development and implementation of an effective environmental management system in China. By exchanging experience and providing advice on various aspects of sustainability, the partnership aims to promote the transformation to a low-carbon economy. The SGEP also supports the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in the CCICED (China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development). Together with the World Economic Forum and the CAUPD (Chinese Academy for Urban Planning and Design), UBA conducted a Special Policy Study (SPS) on "Major Green Technology Innovation and Realisation Mechanisms in the Context of Green Urbanisation". The main outcome of this cooperation was a joint chapter of a CCICED research report on digitalisation and sustainability.

Based on the conception, outline, research and analysis of relevant literature, the IZT developed a draft chapter on "The Innovation and impact of 4IR technologies, Digital technologies and New Infrastructure on the implementation of green technologies in the urban green transition", which was finalised in consultation with the UBA.