Sustainable development in Germany

Germany’s sustainable development goals

Shaping the future with imagination, creativity and innovations, daring to try new things and blazing new trails: this is how we will jointly achieve the United Nations 17 global goals in the 2030  Agenda. Germany’s sustainable development goals, which were first adopted in 2002, are also aligned with them. Ever since, they have been continuously updated and expanded. In implementing this strategy, Germany wants to promote economic development that is socially viable and ecological – and of course to do so beyond its own national borders, too. After all, we can only achieve a sustainable future by working together. Find out more about sustainability in Germany here.

Committed to sustainability

In its efforts to achieve greater sustainability, Germany is promoting not only national strategies . It is also committed to sustainable policy internationally – for example in Colombia and Ukraine. German companies play an important role when it comes to implementing the sustainable development principles, doing their best to increase transparency in the production, working and environmental conditions of suppliers and subcontractors.

Sustainable living in Germany  

Would you like to live more sustainably but don’t know exactly where to start? Let us show you what form sustainable living takes in Germany. We also provide you with some tips for how to make your daily life more eco-friendly.

Revolutionising consumption

One of the most important factors when it comes to shaping a sustainable future is to establish an ecological and fair market economy. But how does the economic system need to change in order to ensure sustainable production? By embarking on the energy transition and expanding renewable energies, Germany has already taken the first steps towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions[BK1] . We show you some innovative ideas that will help us shift towards a sustainable economy.

A life without plastic

Around 400 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide each year   . More than a third of this total is packaging – with between 307 and 925 million larger items of plastic waste ending up in the seas each year. This is why zero waste shopping is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany. Let us take you to a packaging free shop and show you how a life without waste can look.

Fair, ecological, modern

Be it dresses made of milk, compostable t-shirts or jewellery made from fish skin: the German fashion industry is pretty much unbeatable when it comes to the creative development of sustainable products. Less waste , emission reduction and a transparent supply chain are the industry’s goals. Find out here how the fashion industry is becoming increasingly sustainable.

Cities of the future

By 2050, roughly 70 percent of the world’s population will be living in cities. However, cities are particularly affected by climate change because asphalt and concrete are extremely good at storing heat. How can cities be cooled in the summer months? And which strategies for sustainable development exist to make growing cities more liveable ? Find out here how this is done in Germany.

Fuel of the future

Germany believes that green hydrogen is the best way to reduce carbon emissions. To this end, the country adopted a national hydrogen strategy in 2020. As part of a European hydrogen alliance, eight billion euros is to be made available to fund 62 German projects – from the production of hydrogen to its transport and use in industry. Using green hydrogen will allow Germany to save several million tons of carbon per year. Find out here what form the energy transition with green hydrogen will take.

Future-ready degree courses with a green profile

The EU is restructuring its economy with the Green Deal. Highly qualified professionals are needed to ensure a sustainable future, however. We present some future-ready degree courses and give you some tips about which universities in Germany allow you to learn and conduct research in a particularly sustainable way.

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