German Council for Sustainable Development
The German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) advises the German federal government on sustainability policy. It implements its own projects to drive sustainable development in practice and promotes political and social dialogue.
News
The latest news on the RNE’s work and projects alongside sustainability policy in Germany and around the globe.
About the Council
The Council for Sustainable Development (RNE) provides independent advice to the Federal Government on matters of sustainability and future policy and is newly appointed every three years. It consists of 15 public figures from business, civil society, science, and politics. The Council is supported by an office based in Berlin. On 28 January 2026, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz reappointed the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE). At its inaugural meeting, the Council elected its new leadership: Gerald H. Haug as Chair, with former-Chair Reiner Hoffmann as his deputy.
Prof. Dr Gerald H. Haug
Chair of the RNE; Director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry; Full Professor at ETH Zurich
To profile
Reiner Hoffmann
Deputy Chair; Former President of the German Trade Union Confederation; Deputy Chair of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES)
To profile
Prof. Dr Stefan Bayer
Head of Research at GIDS (German Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies)
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Countess Bettina Bernadotte af Wisborg
President of the Council for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings; Chair of Mentor Germany
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Carolin Boßmeyer
Head of Liaison Office Berlin at Heidelberg Materials AG
To profile
Prof. Dr Fatma Deniz
Vice President for Digitalisation and Sustainability at TU Berlin; President of TU Berlin as of April 2026
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Tanja Gönner
Managing Director of the Federation of German Industries (BDI)
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Thomas Kufen
Lord Mayor of Essen
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Prof. Dr Mark G. Lawrence
Scientific Director Research Institute for Sustainability – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS)
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Dr Katrin Leonhardt
Chair of the Board of Sächsische Aufbaubank – Förderbank
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Prof. Dr Kai Niebert
President of the German League for Nature and Environment (DNR)
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Hubertus Paetow
President of the German Agricultural Society (DLG e.V.)
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Dr Myriam Rapior
Vice President of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND)
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Dr Werner Schnappauf
Lawyer and consultant; Former Minister of State
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Achim Steiner
Senior Fellow of the Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford; Chair of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference
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Publications
Explore the RNE’s political statements and recommendations, as well as studies, publications, expert reports, speeches, podcasts and videos.
The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development as an opportunity for the international order
Debt reduction and structural reforms for greater justice - Statement by the German Council for Sustainable Development; Berlin, May 2025
Energy transition at risk: The raw materials squeeze and its impact on climate action
Recommendations for an EU raw materials pact to secure the climate transition in economy and society; Berlin, 23.10.2024
Local Sustainability Reporting Framework (BNK) – Manual (Version 2.0)
Manual for local authorities, version 2.0.; October 2024
Events
At a glance: key dates in the sustainable development diary. Discover sustainability-focused events hosted by the Council or other external organisers. Please send us your event suggestions for inclusion in the calendar.
