International peer review to focus on Germany’s sustainable development policy

The first meeting of peers was held in Berlin in early October 2012. The group is being chaired by Björn Stigson, who performed the same function for the first review four years ago. A full week of consultations between peers in Berlin is scheduled for the end of February 2013. This will include meetings with stakeholders. The annual conference of the Council for Sustainable Development in May 2013 will serve to collect and closely examine the various perceptions and assessments of sustainable development policy in Germany. The peers will determine to what extent Germany’s Parliament, Federal Government and stakeholders have taken action in response to the recommendations of the first peer review of 2009. The 2013 peer review will primarily focus on sustainable, “green” business practices and on issues of sustainability management, as well as on increasing the effectiveness of sustainable development strategies. The peer review will also cover developments in the spheres of demographic change, cultural diversity, and resource scarcity. In addition, the peers will address how to enhance competencies and capacities for sustainable development and will look at issues related to global interdependence.