The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina have been working together on the basis of a close partnership and mutual trust for many years. In 2018, they launched the Science for Future Initiative with the goal of highlighting the important role of basic science for society. Under this initiative, the two academies will hold a joint conference on the challenges of achieving carbon neutrality. With this announcement, CAS and Leopoldina wish to present the guiding questions for the joint conference to be held in Berlin on October 29-30, 2024. High-ranking scientists as well as young scientists from both countries will discuss and compare approaches to tackle the challenges on the path to carbon neutrality.