The national sustainability strategy

The national sustainability strategy was adopted in 2002, and has since determined the direction taken by sustainable development in Germany. It is entitled "Prospects for Germany" and lays out specific duties and objectives.

The strategy is updated at regular intervals and the German government publishes regular progress reports on updates. Indicator reports provide detailed information on developments in key policy fields.

Citizens can also become involved in the further development of the strategy. You can join the citizens’ dialogue on the sustainability strategy at www.dialog-nachhaltigkeit.de.

State Secretary Committee for Sustainable Development

The State Secretary Committee for Sustainable Development is an important body for the sustainability strategy. Its duties include implementing the national sustainability strategy, developing the content matter further and reviewing at regular intervals the implementation status.

The committee is also the contact for the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Sustainable Development, for the federal states and the associations of local authorities and the German Council for Sustainable Development. The committee works with these bodies on topical aspects of sustainability.

The Head of the Federal Chancellery, Ronald Pofalla chairs the committee on which all ministries are represented.

The sustainability check

Since May 2009 a sustainability check has been in place. In future the ministries must examine every draft item of legislation and ordinance for its impacts in terms of sustainability. Will it impact negatively on the environment? What impacts will it have on social and economic development? 

Review by international experts

In 2009 the German government launched an international review system. Seven experts from Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, USA and India were asked to examine the German sustainability strategy. They have now submitted their report, the Peer Review 2009.

German Council for Sustainable Development

To provide external expertise the German government also put in place the German Council for Sustainable Development in 2001. Nineteen individuals from businesses, trade unions, churches, the media, and consumer and environmental associations meet regularly to discuss topical aspects of sustainability. They are free to set their own agenda, and provide important subject-specific inputs so as to help push forward with sustainable development at all levels. It was this body, for instance, which first brought up the problem of the volume of land used for human settlement and the need to conserve open spaces.

German Council for Sustainable Development

To provide external expertise the German government also put in place the German Council for Sustainable Development in 2001. Nineteen individuals from businesses, trade unions, churches, the media, and consumer and environmental associations meet regularly to discuss topical aspects of sustainability. They are free to set their own agenda, and provide important subject-specific inputs so as to help push forward with sustainable development at all levels. It was this body, for instance, which first brought up the problem of the volume of land used for human settlement and the need to conserve open spaces.

Sustainable procurement

The German government procures its own products and services on a sustainable basis. 

Since 2007 all timber products purchased by the German government must be certified as coming from sustainable managed forests that are managed in a way that is environmentally sound and socially acceptable. In the same year the government began to offset the CO2 emissions caused by official government air and road travel by investing in climate protection projects.

Since January 2008 new procurement guidelines have also been in force governing the procurement of energy-efficient products and services. All federal agencies are now required to take into account the energy consumption of the products and services procured.