Dialogue for Sustainability

26.10.2009 - 27.10.2009 | Pretoria, South Africa

SynWiN-Presentation at the 2nd South African-German Dialogue on Science for Sustainability

Abstract

South Africa is about to implement its National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) in 2010. Germany’s NSSD is moving into its second phase, re-adjusting its NSSD of 2002. What lessons can be drawn from Germany’s first phase on how to govern sustainable development as a national strategy?
The overall results of Germany’s 2002 NSSD are mixed. Relative success on the side of energy and climate protection, relative disappointment in the fields of social sustainability and land-use. Deficits are acknowledged in the 2008 audit of the German sustainability strategy.
A major recommendation from this review is the strengthening of the “management of sustainability” by legal and organizational means. Key success factors identified are:

Effective NSSDs need
(1) quantified targets,
(2) appropriate economic framework conditions mainly undistorted prices,
(3) „management tools“ such as Sustainability Impact Assessment at different levels of governance, including the local level,
(4) a coherent multi-level governance and
(5) a powerful, central institutionalisation of the NSSD.


The presentation and the long abstract are available for download.

For more information about Second South African-German Dialogue on Science for Sustainability "Innovation for Sustainability in a Changing World" please visit dialgue4s.

Kontakt:
Prof. Dr. Reimund Schwarze
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig
E-mail: reimund.schwarze [at] ufz.de