Brandenburg Stays the Course on Sustainability Despite Global Crises

10.07.2025

The state of Brandenburg has set itself some ambitious goals in its sustainability strategy, including shifting to a climate-neutral energy supply, reducing resource consumption and rolling out digital tools in public administration. Stakeholders from politics, business and civil society will discuss recent developments in sustainability policy under the governing SPD/BSW coalition at a plenary session of the Brandenburg Sustainability Platform on 10 July.

Friederike Haase, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection of the State of Brandenburg, highlighted the contribution of the sustainability platform to political opinion-forming in Brandenburg.

The event, which will take place at the Brandenburg Museum in Potsdam, is headlined "Sustainability in a time of socio-political upheaval, ecological challenges, and economic crises". Around 100 guests will follow the discussions and presentations at the venue, with a further 50 attending online. Discussions will focus on the question of how Brandenburg can best pursue its ambitious sustainability policy in the face of diverse crises.

"Despite growing geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and financial constraints, sustainable development remains a central goal in Brandenburg. Addressing the trade-offs – particularly between economic growth, climate action, and social equity – has become increasingly important. These conflicting objectives call for coordinated efforts by state policymakers, businesses, and civil society. What is needed are fresh ideas and socially viable implementation strategies. The Sustainability Platform can play a key role in advancing this agenda," said Ortwin Renn from the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS), who moderates for the platform.

A "Market of Opportunities", where seven initiatives from Brandenburg will present their work, will showcase the diversity of Brandenburg's sustainability landscape. The initiatives include the Brandenburg Future Centre, the Brandenburg Consumer Advice Centre and the Youth Forum for Sustainability.

Brandenburg Sustainability Platform will continue to play an important role in Brandenburg's progress towards sustainability in this legislative period, said Friederike Haase, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action (MWAEK). “Sustainable development and climate action sometimes take a back seat in the short-lived public debate and this is precisely why people and organisations that are steadfastly committed to these issues are so important. The Sustainability Platform financed by the MWAEK provides a space for stakeholders to share their experiences and knowledge."

Brandenburg Sustainability Platform is a communication forum and network for stakeholders committed to sustainability in the state of Brandenburg. The platform connects initiatives and promotes dialogue between stakeholders in business, science, civil society and the state government. It was founded in January 2019 and is funded by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action (MWAEK) of the State of Brandenburg. The Research Institute for Sustainability at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences hosts the platform’s coordination office.

Impressions from the event

Ortwin Renn from RIFS moderated the event.

Panel discussion (from left): Alexandra Decker (CEMEX Deutschland AG), Hermann Lotze-Campen (PIK and Brandenburg Climate Advisory Council), Friederike Haase (MWAEK), Rahel Zimmermann (Brandenburg Youth Forum for Sustainability), Jürgen Janssen (RNE).

The panelists received numerous questions from the audience.

Commemoration of Gerold Fierment, co-founder and spokesperson of the Brandenburg Local Agenda 21 Workshop, co-founder and former board member of the Brandenburg 21 e.V. association, and member of Brandenburg's first Sustainability Advisory Council.

Jürgen Janssen, member of the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), gave a keynote speech on sustainability in times of economic upheaval and social tensions.

Friederike Haase, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection of the State of Brandenburg, welcomed the approximately 150 participants on site and via livestream.