Digitalization has been accompanied by ever increasing energy and resource consumption, as well as global production and consumption patterns that place an even greater burden on ecosystems. Technical innovation surges do not automatically translate into sustainability transformations, but must be closely coupled with sustainability guidelines and policies.

The momentum of urbanization and its impacts are so massive that we must face up to this trend.

The oceans are part of the common heritage of mankind and should, in the long term, be granted this status under international law. This would give them better protection and ensure that they are managed in a sustainable way.

Die Konferenz denkt die Transformation zur Nachhaltigkeit und den digitalen Wandel zusammen und fragt, welche neuen Forschungsthemen sich aus dieser Verzahnung ergeben.

How can we make global development possible without compromising our natural life-support systems, and which forms of damage must be avoided? The WBGU defined "planetary guard rails" which help to keep such existential damage at bay. This short film explains  the concept of guardrails.

Here you will find media reports on the WBGU. In addition to feedback to our reports, we document articles citing WBGU or interviews with WBGU representatives. Where possible, WBGU-related radio broadcast and television footage are also made available here.