In their report, an international group of experts, chaired by Björn Stigson, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, came up with praise and acknowledgement as well as criticism and practical recommendations on sustainability policies in Germany. Their review was mandated by the Federal Government. The report on the Peer Review (PDF, 4093 KB) has been handed over to the Chancellor Angela Merkel and presented to the public in the course of the annual conference of the German Council for Sustainable Development on Nov 23rd. In 2009 eminent members of the Peer Review group from Sweden, Finland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, India, Canada and the USA brought their experiences to bear on the opportunities and challenges for Germany’s sustainable development policies in an international context and in the context of innovations towards a low carbon economy. The report acknowledges Germany a potential key position to spearhead the transition to a more sustainable development if Germany overcomes domestic weaknesses and makes a move to substantial institutional reforms, and sets out to empower society’s vision towards what the Peers call the “Grand Design 2050”.

The Peer Review comes up with a set of clear recommendations addressing politics, the Parliament, the business community and civil society.  The German Council for Sustainable Development facilitated the reviewing process.