The world is becoming more urbanized. The estimates made by the United Nations (UN, 2014) shows a trend of migration from rural to urban areas: As of 2014, 52% of the global population lives in urban areas, and this percentage is likely to increase up to 66.4%, with an expectation that the global population reaches 9.55 billion until 2050. This urbanization trend is relevant, since most GHG emissions that contribute to global climate change come from urban areas. Urban areas are associated with around 70% of global energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. China and Germany are two key players into mitigating the effect of climate change, and both countries have already managed to implement several initiatives towards the development of a low-carbon city. This paper present the results of a research whose objective was to compare cities in China (Tianjin, Hangzhou and Beijing) and Germany (Munich and Berlin), and focuses on the role that urban policymaking plays on getting towards carbon neutral targets. Results indicate that, despite clear demographics and economic differences, there are several best practices in the field of urban planning that can be shared and transferred to cities in both countries, helping them to achieve their respective GHG reductions goals.The world is becoming more urbanized. The estimates made by the United Nations (UN, 2014) shows a trend of migration from rural to urban areas: As of 2014, 52% of the global population lives in urban areas, and this percentage is likely to increase up to 66.4%, with an expectation that the global population reaches 9.55 billion until 2050. This urbanization trend is relevant, since most GHG emissions that contribute to global climate change come from urban areas. Urban areas are associated with around 70% of global energy consumption and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. China and Germany are two key players into mitigating the effect of climate change, and both countries have already managed to implement several initiatives towards the development of a low-carbon city. This paper present the results of a research whose objective was to compare cities in China (Tianjin, Hangzhou and Beijing) and Germany (Munich and Berlin), and focuses on the role that urban policymaking plays on getting towards carbon neutral targets. Results indicate that, despite clear demographics and economic differences, there are several best practices in the field of urban planning that can be shared and transferred to cities in both countries, helping them to achieve their respective GHG reductions goals.