- The UN Pact for the Future: New hope for multilateralism?
Debt relief for poor countries, pulling the plug on corporate tax avoidance, guaranteeing developing countries a seat on international finance committees – experts discuss proposals for development financing at the annual conference of the German Council for Sustainable Development. - New Local Sustainability Reporting Framework (BNK) released
German Council for Sustainable Development revamps key tool for local authorities with a broad consortium of partners - Successfully monitoring global sustainability goals
At a VNR Lab initiated jointly by the German Council for Sustainable Development and the Global Forum for National SDG Advisory Bodies, stakeholders from around the world exchanged views on the factors that determine whether the progress of the 2030 Agenda can be successfully and constructively monitored. The participants were surprisingly unanimous. - “Cutting the development budget risks provoking the next conflicts”
There’s a gaping hole in global development financing – which means the poorest countries have nothing left to put towards the UN SDGs. This is partially due to the global financial and debt architecture, which is now set to change with, among other measures, the reform of the World Bank. We spoke to RNE member Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul to find out what this reform has in store and where even more needs be done. - “Sustainability done well is freedom”
How can sustainability go from swimming against the current to popular sport? RNE member, sustainability researcher and didactics professor Kai Niebert talks about evil cutlets, self-righteous debates and the freedom to make one’s own decisions.
Council Project
Sustainable economic reform must go hand in hand with decent work on a thriving planet.
Reiner Hoffmann
Chair of the Council; Former President German Trade Union Confederation; Member European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)
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.
Gunda Röstel
Deputy Chair of the Council; Commercial Director Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH; Authorized Representative GELSENWASSER AG
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.
Prof. Dr Katrin Böhning-Gaese
Scientific Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ; Professor Goethe University Frankfurt
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.
Zarah Bruhn
Social entrepreneur; Commissioner for Social Innovation at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); Founder and Managing Director socialbee
Sustainable thinking is a never-ending, demanding process of negotiation on the principle that we only have one world to play with.
Tanja Gönner
Director General Federation of German Industries (BDI)
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.
Jörg-Andreas Krüger
President Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU)
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.
Prof. Dr Mark G. Lawrence
Scientific Director Research Institute for Sustainability, Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS)
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!
Prof. Dr Kai Niebert
President German League for Nature and Environment (DNR)
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.
Hubertus Paetow
President German Agricultural Society (DLG)
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.
Myriam Rapior
Vice President German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) – Friends of the Earth Germany
Sustainable development requires greatest possible recognition of commonalities as well as acceptance of differences.
Dr Werner Schnappauf
Lawyer and consultant; Former Minister of State
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.
Dr Franziska Tanneberger
Director Greifswald Mire Centre (GMC)
Various transformations need to take place, and the greatest challenge will be shaping these transitions in a way that reduces inequality.
Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
Former Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development