Sustainable development

Towards common goals: how Germany is contributing towards achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at home and worldwide.
Fridays for Future – school strikes against global warming
The Fridays for Future movement is mobilizing worldwide. Tens of thousands of young people are taking to the streets in Germany too. Here you can find all the information, figures and facts.
Environmental subsidies in Germany
On these portals, clever conservationists will find all kinds of suggestions on how to get financial assistance for their environmental projects. Get more information on what kind of projects can receive financial aid or tips on how to fill out application forms.
Sustainability in Germany
These portals provide interesting information on political concepts and you’ll find out how citizens and entrepreneurs can learn to act more responsibly.
Environmental institutions in Germany
Go from here to find ministries, government offices, research institutes and official boards and committees charged with the task of protecting our valuable natural world.
For a better future
Nearly 1.500 applicants from 50 countries took part in the competition „beyond bauhaus - prototyping the future“. We present three of the winners.
What we do: The German sustainable development strategy
What can we do to avoid diminishing the chances of people today and the chances of our children and grandchildren for a prosperous life?
Better organisation to help more quickly
UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner explains in our interview how digitisation is driving forward sustainable development, though he also warns about data abuse.
Everyone can make the world a better place
Here you will find examples of inspiring private and local initiatives.
17 goals for a better world
The name is misleading: Germany’s National Sustainable Development Strategy is aimed at people all over the globe. These are the goals and some of the successes.
Working for peace and justice
Germany is globally active in support of sustainable development. We outline three best-practice projects.
Topic of the week: Peace and Security
UN City Bonn: centre of sustainability
The city on the Rhine has developed a profile as a centre of global dialogue. Twenty UN institutions are based here.
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“We will see significant progress”
Can the Agenda 2030 goals be reached? Here are the views of Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.
Plastic? No thanks!
Doing without plastic is simpler than many people think. That was demonstrated by my four-week experiment.
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Quick facts
The German Sustainable Development Strategy
is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). National goals are…
55
per cent
less greenhouse gas emissions than 1990 by the year 2030.
45
per cent
less air pollution than 2005 by the year 2030.
20
per cent
ecological agriculture by 2030.
34
per cent
market share for environmentally friendly products by 2030.
18
per cent
renewable energy share of gross final energy consumption by 2020.
Human rights at the workplace
How German companies take on responsibility for human rights worldwide.
For humane working conditions
Do companies respect human rights? And how can this be proven? Germany has launched a unique system of monitoring.
Sustainable strategies
Agriculture, sustainability and nutrition: how Germany supports innovative strategies for global development around the world.
Better than recycling
Compostable T-shirts and renewable washing machines – how Cradle to Cradle could revolutionise consumption.
Please don’t package it!
Milk without a carton and pasta from a jar? Zero waste shopping is the latest thing. Ria Schäfli explains how it works.
Living without waste
No plastic packaging, no takeaway coffee cups: it is not easy to live without generating waste, but it is possible. Two families show how it is done and give some simple tips.
What will the city of tomorrow be like?
An expert in urban development explains how growing cities will remain liveable and how lifestyles and mobility will have to change.
Berlin and Beyond: So over plastic bags
It's time Germany joined the list of countries banning plastic bags, says DW's Tamsin Walker.
Small creatures with a big impact
Why the German government is making a big effort to protect bees.
Take it home with you!
Almost a third of the food produced worldwide is thrown away. The good news is that there are lots of initiatives aimed at saving food from the waste bin.
Fashionable step forward
Jewellery made from fish skin and bags from garbage – consumers want more sustainability in fashion. The industry is reacting with creative solutions.
Excellent sustainable fashion
T-shirts made of wood, recyclable outdoor gear, fair shirts from Africa und fashion, that is individual in every respect - we present four excellent ideas.