The Federal Government wants to speed up sustainable development. To this end, it has prepared a decision paper titled “Shaping the future together with courage”. We have now reached the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development that was adopted in 2015, but we are not on track for reaching most of the goals specified in the agenda. This is why we need to step up our efforts to act more sustainably.

Transforming our world: The title of the 2030 Agenda that was adopted by the global community back in 2015 was “Transforming our world”, reflecting the aspiration to bring about fundamental change in business and society in order to achieve a more sustainable world. The German Sustainable Development Strategy follows this same approach. The new version from 2016 and further adjustments made since are based on the 17 global sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Much needed adjustments

Analyses of the development both globally and in Germany have shown that it is urgently necessary for adjustments to be made to the strategy, both in politics and society. The climate crisis, biodiversity crisis and pollution crisis are by now clear for everyone to see. Mastering these crises would be a good starting point in terms of achieving the sustainable development goals.

However, sustainable development requires more than this. What we really need is economically, environmentally and socially viable development for all generations and genders. The conditions for mastering this key challenge are favourable in Germany, and this type of transformation can be an opportunity for boosting prosperity, progress and innovation.

These aspects are addressed in the Federal Cabinet’s resolution, in which the German Sustainable Development Strategy is referenced as a framework for implementing the 2030 Agenda at the national level. Six areas of transformation and three areas that are key levers for implementing the required changes are used as examples to illustrate the Federal Government’s goals, the measures it has taken and its further plans.

The areas of transformation are based on the following issues:

• human well-being and skills, social justice,
• circular economy,
• energy transition and climate protection, also
• sustainable construction and traffic transition,
• sustainable agricultural and food systems, and finally
• a pollution-free environment.

So-called levers for implementing change in the areas listed above include: 

• international responsibility and cooperation,
• finance, and
• research, innovation and digitalisation.

Accepting responsibility

The Federal Government stands by its responsibility to realise the 2030 Agenda at the national, European and international level. It takes on responsibility for the people living now, as well as for future generations, both in Germany and abroad. It also takes on responsibility for conserving the natural basis of human livelihood and for enabling all human beings to lead a dignified life.