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Sustainability in society

The German Council for Sustainable Development initiates and supports projects that aim at societal change, making sustainability a tangible issue in everyday life. The Council stimulates the debate and aims to make sustainability a public concern.

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German Sustainable Development Strategy

Advising the Federal Government on the implementation of the sustainability strategy is at the heart of the Council's work. The Council gives recommendations on the strategy's futher development and encourages steps towards reaching sustainability goals.

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Sustainable Development Goals

The German Council for Sustainable Development advocates the ambitious implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda. The global goals for sustainable development are both framework and yardstick of sustainability politics in Germany.

Modernise and accelerate, yes, but please think ahead

German Council for Sustainable Development to support implementation of coalition committee findings with constructive feedback

to the press release
Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz begrüßt den neuen Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung zu seiner konstituierenden Sitzung im Bundeskanzleramt. Von links nach rechts: Hubertus Paetow, Myriam Rapior, Dr. Franziska Tanneberger, Saori Dubourg, Zarah Bruhn, Prof. Dr. Mark G. Lawrence, Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz, Tanja Gönner, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, RNE-Generalsekretär Marc-Oliver Pahl, Dr. Werner Schnappauf, Prof. Dr. Kai Niebert, Gunda Röstel, Reiner Hoffmann. Foto: © Bundesregierung/Guido Bergmann

Reiner Hoffmann elected new Chair

At their inaugural meeting in the Federal Chancellery, the Council members unanimously elected Reiner Hoffmann, former president of the German Trade Union Confederation, as their new chair.

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German Sustainability Action Days

This year's Action Days will take place from September 18 to October 8, 2023.

more information

New German Council for Sustainable Development appointed

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in the federal cabinet the new line-up of the German Council for Sustainable Development.

to the press release

Innovation Policy for Sustainable Development

Statement by the German Council for Sustainable Development

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Turning Point for a Consistent Sustainability Policy

Recommendations of the German Council for Sustainable Development to secure the global sustainability perspective in light of the war in Ukraine

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Joint Action for Sustainable Development

A new initiative from the German Federal Government and the Länder, coordinated by RNE, aims to bring together social actors on a single platform, which will be officially launched on 26 September 2022 at the RNE Annual Conference in Berlin. (Duration: 01:53)

Further information: www.gemeinschaftswerk-nachhaltigkeit.de/en

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development entails treating environmental aspects on an equal footing with social and economic aspects. Making this abundantly clear is one of the Council’s missions. Future-oriented management means that we have to leave future generations a globally intact ecological, social and economic system. The one cannot be achieved without the others.

Fields of Work of the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE)

Sustainability policy in Germany

The German Sustainable Development Strategy gives sustainable development concrete shape through its goals and indicators and in so doing offers long-term orientation for sustainability policy in Germany. Various institutions – including the RNE – are tasked with ensuring that the principle of sustainability is applied throughout the federal government’s work.

Additional information on sustainability policy in Germany
German Almanac of Sustainability

    Reiner Hoffmann
    Sustainable economic reform must go hand in hand with decent work on a thriving planet.

    Chair of the Council; Former President German Trade Union Confederation; Member European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

    Gunda Röstel
    For me, sustainability means holding our actions accountable to our grandchildren. Without self-censorship or fear of loss but instead grounded in good ideas and joy for what lies ahead.

    Deputy Chair of the Council; Commercial Director Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH; Authorized Representative GELSENWASSER AG

    Prof. Dr Katrin Böhning-Gaese
    For me, sustainability means living in harmony with nature. We as human beings are able to lead a good life only in balance with the planet’s other living beings.

    Director Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre; Professor Goethe University Frankfurt

    Zarah Bruhn
    Social innovators need greater visibility and support to realise their ideas. These are the people who shape the progress of our society and tackle the challenges of our time.

    Social entrepreneur; Commissioner for Social Innovation at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); Founder and Managing Director socialbee

    Katja Dörner
    We will only solve global challenges like the climate crisis if the state, the economy and society pull together to anchor sustainability as a priority and common responsibility.

    Mayor of the Federal City of Bonn

    Saori Dubourg
    We will only succeed in transforming our society into a value-oriented and resource-efficient one, if we can manage to consider social and environmental responsibility and economic success together at executive level.

    Former Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE

    Tanja Gönner
    Sustainable thinking is a never-ending, demanding process of negotiation on the principle that we only have one world to play with.

    Director General Federation of German Industries (BDI)

    Jörg-Andreas Krüger
    We can only overcome these individual crises – including the nature and climate crises – if we tackle them holistically. If we neglect or postpone one crisis, we will struggle to tackle the others.

    President Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU)

    Prof. Dr Mark G. Lawrence
    How can I shape my life in a way that fosters sustainability? This question links individual action and social transformation. Helping to answer this question, especially through innovative evidence-based approaches, has driven me for years.

    Scientific Director Research Institute for Sustainability, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS)

    Prof. Dr Kai Niebert
    Gone are the days when sustainability solely meant trying to prevent social or environmental disasters. We must aspire to improve people’s lives and the state of nature. Sustainability should be the promise of a better life!

    President German League for Nature and Environment (DNR)

    Hubertus Paetow
    Sustainable development means facilitating the best possible living conditions without compromising the potential for future generations. This is only achievable if we build the right sustainability indicators into our functioning social market economy.

    President German Agricultural Society (DLG)

    Myriam Rapior
    The greatest challenge in the coming years will be learning to function within planetary boundaries. We need to transform each and every economic process at play to minimise their impact on nature and the environment.

    Vice President German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) – Friends of the Earth Germany

    Dr Werner Schnappauf
    Sustainable development requires greatest possible recognition of commonalities as well as acceptance of differences.

    Lawyer and consultant; Former Minister of State

    Dr Franziska Tanneberger
    Sustainability – along with peaceful coexistence – is one of the greatest challenges facing us as human beings. Both always start with us and in small ways. And helps us see the big picture and our responsibility for all future generations.

    Director Greifswald Mire Centre (GMC)

    Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
    Various transformations need to take place, and the greatest challenge will be shaping these transitions in a way that reduces inequality.

    Former Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development