Appeal to New State Government: Climate Protection and Sustainability Clear Priorities
13.09.2019
At its most recent meeting, the steering group of the platform “Sustainable Development in Brandenburg” adopted a list of demands aimed at the parties currently negotiating to form a new state government. The platform calls on the parties to prioritize climate protection and sustainability and to extend the platform’s mandate into the coming legislative term.
Sustainable Development in Brandenburg brings together initiatives, associations, civil society organisations, businesses and municipal bodies involved in projects and planning for sustainable development across the region. The platform is supported in its activities by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS). IASS Scientific Director Professor Ortwin Renn: "The platform forms a bridge between state government, local authorities and civil society initiatives, making it an important factor in efforts to guide much-needed transformations on the ground in Brandenburg."
In its resolution, the platform makes the following demands:
- The State Chancellery should be tasked with advancing sustainable development in Brandenburg in order to underscore the importance and cross-cutting nature of this policy field. As a consequence, Sustainable Development in Brandenburg should also be anchored within the State Chancellery.
- In addition, a Sustainability Officer should be appointed to each ministry and entrusted with the task of addressing sustainability challenges on a cross-sectoral and inter-ministerial basis and ensuring that an integrated approach is adopted in the implementation of measures to advance sustainable development.
- The participating organisations are unanimous in their view that the platform, which was established by the previous state government, has been a resounding success. The platform’s tenure should be extended through to the conclusion of the new legislative period. Adequate support must be provided to the platform in order to ensure that it can pursue its mission as a coordinating and networking body. The IASS in Potsdam is willing to provide ongoing organisational and scientific support to the platform.
- The new state government should acknowledge the importance of sustainability and climate protection by pursuing the vision of a climate-neutral state administration as a model of best practice for the coming years. This would include the development of a sustainable procurement system and the adoption of environmentally friendly practices in the energy and building management sectors, for example.
The platform provides support to many initiatives and associations in Brandenburg that have already spoken out in favour of strengthening sustainability and climate protection. The platform supports the state government in all its efforts to lead Brandenburg into a sustainable and climate-friendly future.
