The Federal Government launched the first German Sustainable Development Strategy (DNS) back in 2002. Since then, it has been regularly updated every four years and supported across legislative bodies. This sustainability policy therefore represents continuity in government actions and since 2015 has been oriented around the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals are the guiding principle for a free, secure, just and prosperous Germany, emphasised Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei at the annual conference of the German Council for Sustainable Development. 

Against the backdrop of current challenges, he said, they are more than just a vision that provides orientation – indeed, they form the basis for shaping a bright future for everyone. Sustainability is not a “nice-to-have,” Frei noted, but a “must-have.”

Focus on six areas of transformation

In January 2025, the current German Sustainable Development Strategy Update 2025 (DNS) was adopted. It is entitled “Shaping transformation fairly together” and focuses on six areas of transformation in which there is a substantial need for action if the goals are to be achieved by 2030:

• Human well-being and capabilities, social justice
• Energy transition and climate action
• Circular economy
• Sustainable construction and sustainable mobility
• Sustainable agricultural and food systems
• Pollutant-free environment

It also describes government action using five levers to achieve the goals:

• Social mobilisation and participation
• Finances
• International responsibility and cooperation
• Research, innovation and digitalisation
• Governance

In all of its actions, the German Sustainable Development Strategy also takes into account the cross-border effects of national actions. The measures must be designed in such a way that they do not hinder the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in other countries.

From strategy to action plan

The Federal Government also wants to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy in the area of sustainability. Reporting obligations are to be reduced and a citizen-centred action plan is to be developed from the current strategy. The State Secretaries' Committee for Sustainable Development and Future Issues has been tasked with launching the plan. The important thing here is the shift to an action-orientated format so that the sustainable development measures also have an impact.

The focus will be more on current political, economic and social challenges as well as the changing times, and will cover all dimensions of sustainability: economic, ecological and social. The action plan is supervised and developed by interdepartmental and interdisciplinary working groups referred to as missions. The plan provides for missions in the following fields of activity:

• An efficient state and sustainable, lastingly viable public finances
• An efficient, sustainable economy and permanently high, sustainable economic growth
• Social justice, equal living conditions and social cohesion
• Preserving the natural foundations of life
• International responsibility and cooperation

Here you can access the Continued development of the German Sustainability Strategy.