People at a conference walking and standing at the entrance of a building. On one side there is a wall displaying the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Assisting the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE)

Assisting the Council for Sustainable Development (RNE)

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  • Client

    Federal Chancellery (financier) represented by German Aerospace Center (DLR) as project executing agency

  • Country
  • Runtime

    2008 to 2027

  • Involved

    System administrator Jentgens, comon Medienagentur, IMUG, Technische Universität Dresden, GFA Consulting, EXXETA, German Sustainability Award Foundation

  • Products and expertise

    Climate, environment, management of natural resources

Context

The German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) believes that economic, social and ecological development offers the right direction for a dynamic Germany and a positive future in the 21st century.

The RNE is made up of 15 public figures from civil society, business, science and politics. It operates independently and is appointed by the German Government every three years to advise on all aspects of sustainable development.

Objective

Sustainability is the guiding principle for all political and social action – from the realities of personal life through to local, state and federal politics, up to and including the European Union.

Approach

The RNE exerts its influence by engaging in dialogue with members of the German Government and parliament, cooperating with social representatives and communicating effectively with the public, for example by hosting events and issuing statements.

The RNE initiates political and social dialogue and implements its own projects to promote practical sustainability. Some of these projects, such as the German Sustainability Code (DNK), have already been handed over to other organisations.

The RNE’s reach extends beyond Germany through its involvement in the European Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) and the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils Network (EEAC Network). It also engages internationally through participation in platforms such as the Global Forum.

The RNE administrative office serves as its central support structure, providing the foundation for the Council's work by commissioning and supporting studies, drafting statements and organising events. The office is supported by the project of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Last updated: May 2025

Additional information