Sustainability

Dossiers

Making the great turnaround work

Published: 13 September 2022

The online dossier of our Brussels office features videos, podcasts and articles related to the publication "Making the great turnaround work - Economic policy for a green and just transition".

Articles

Photo: Aerial view of a junkyard with numerous containers filled with metal and aluminum scrap. Piles and piles of recyclable material.

Delay, Distract and Deceive: BECCS Developments in South America, Africa and Asia

Published: 30 November 2023

Analysis

Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technologies are among the most problematic in carbon removal geoengineering. Part two of our series analyses the status of BECCS in South America, Africa, and Asia.

By Coraina de la Plaza, Kwami Kpondzo and Souparna Lahiri

A poor neighborhood in Jakarta (Indonesia) portrayed in a bird view.

World failing on Sustainable Development Goals

Published: 13 September 2023

Comment

An independent group of scientists appointed by the UN warns: The world is not on track to achieve any of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

By Cameron Allen, Shirin Malekpour and Imme Scholz

Ein Slum aus vielen aneinander und aufeinander gebauten Hütten, die auf Pfählen an einem verschmutzen Kanal stehen

“Without the Environmental Redesign of Society and Economy Global Justice will be Impossible”

Published: 14 July 2023

Interview

The Agenda 2030 is at its half-way point, yet the 17 goals for sustainable development remain a distant proposition. In the following conversation, Imme Scholz discusses the causes and points out how the global community may speed up their realisation.

By Imme Scholz

Who’s Ready to Fight Plastic Pollution?

Published: 25 January 2023

Commentary

A global meeting in November to address the problem by establishing a legally binding agreement did not meet the moment. When the International Negotiating Committee convenes again next year, delegates’ ambitions will need to match the scale and scope of the problem.

By Alexandra Caterbow and Olga Speranskaya

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Publications

Global Circular Economy

Published: 7 March 2025

Study

A circular economy can help mitigate the negative effects of our resource consumption and reduce the massive dependence on raw materials from other countries. The study sets out what needs to be considered in order to achieve a just transition towards a circular economy.

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From Boom to Burden

Published: 10 December 2024

Report

This report strives to shed light on the various biophysical as well as sociocultural long-term impacts of mining, which can mean massive long-term monetary costs for states and further generations.

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Resilient Agriculture on the African Continent: The Proof will be in the Soil

Published: 6 May 2024

E-Paper

Africa must find pathways to provide a better life for its people, including access to healthy and sustainably produced food. This policy paper takes a closer look at the role of synthetic fertilizers in African food systems.

pdf

Debt Relief by Multilateral Lenders

Published: 22 September 2023

E-Paper

As the sovereign debt crisis in the Global South continues to unfold, the lack of involvement of multilateral development banks (MDBs) in debt relief efforts has become a contentious issue among major creditors. This report aims to contribute to the ongoing debate over debt relief negotiations and MDBs and makes policy recommendations how to include MDBs better in debt relief.

pdf

Making the Great Turnaround work

Published: 1 June 2022

Study

The long-term challenges have lost none of their significance – be it climate breakdown, species extinction, the increase in inequality, or demographic change. The challenge is to craft a strategic approach that can set the course for long-term success.

pdf

Smart Green World?

Published: 8 June 2020

In their book, Steffen Lange and Tilman Santarius investigate how digitalization influences environmental and social sustainability.

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Contracts for Sustainable Infrastructure

Published: 18 December 2017

Infrastructure is essential to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and to the success of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Our partner IISD presents why governments must invest in sustainable infrastructure and how they can integrate sustainability into infrastructure contracts.

pdf

Inside the Green Economy - Promises and Pitfalls

Published: 30 June 2016

The economic and ecological bases of a general prosperity are in danger, the gap between rich and poor is widening. The concept of the Green Economy offers a new model, based primarily on large-scale technological solutions. But the Green Economy cares little about politics, barely registers human rights, does not recognize social actors and suggests the possibility of reform without conflict. It suggests that the world as we know it can continue with green growth.