Velana - Yoga, Aura-Soma, business consulting, eco & vegan

German Sustainability News #2 2025

2025-12-30 13:45 Sustainability

Germany’s updated national sustainability strategy

October 2025: In the coalition agreement, the governing parties commit themselves to the objectives of the German sustainability strategy. It is the roadmap for sustainable development throughout Germany.
The presented strategy focuses on the six transformation areas in which there is a great need for action to achieve the objectives by 2030. These have already been determined in the further development of the sustainability strategy of 2021:

  • Human well-being and skills, social justice;
  • Energy transition and climate protection;
  • circular economy;
  • Sustainable construction and transport turnaround;
  • Sustainable agricultural and food systems;
  • Pollution-free environment.

Read more here.

NIQ sustainability index shows mild recovery

May 2025: After a low in January, the NIQ Sustainability Index shows a slight upward trend for the first time in April 2025.
However, with an increase to 94.2 points (January: 91.3 points), it remains clearly below the 2022 average and significantly below the level of April 2024 (101.6 points).
In parallel, a special NIQ evaluation shows: Social expectations of companies are shifting - away from purely ecological issues such as climate neutrality towards social aspects such as fair wages and secure jobs.
A current special analysis by NIQ shows: when it comes to corporate responsibility, Germans attach particular importance to fair pay (34 percent) and good jobs (27 percent).

For younger consumers between the ages of 18 and 29, educational opportunities (20 percent), decent working conditions (19 percent) and cooperation with politicians on environmental issues (16 percent) are above average important.

At the same time, concern for the environment remains high: the greatest concerns of the Germans relate to environmental problems such as climate change (47 percent), plastic pollution (46 percent), the destruction of natural habitats (43 percent), natural disasters (42 percent) and water pollution (37 percent).

These persistent environmental concerns are also evident in consumer behavior: The proportion of consumers who have deliberately made sustainable investments in recent months has increased.

All details are here in article.

Major Sustainability Events & Conferences

Hamburg Sustainability Conference (June 2025)

The second Hamburg Sustainability Conference brought together policymakers, businesses, scientists and civil society to discuss accelerated implementation of SDGs and collaborative strategies.

German Packaging Award 2025 (Sept 2025)

It welcomed around 280 industry guests to celebrate the 37 winners of the 2025 German Packaging Award.
The highlight of the event, held on the opening day of FACHPACK in Nuremberg, was the announcement of the Gold Awards.

Renewable Materials Conference 2025 (Sept 2025)

Organized by Nova-Institut, this prominent European materials and bioplastics conference focuses on replacing fossil carbon with biomass and recycled carbon sources. It spans innovation talks, panel sessions, workshops and an exhibition element, and attracts experts from industry, science and policy.

Deutsche Aktionstage Nachhaltigkeit (Oct)

Over 1,600 individual actions and events across Germany showcased sustainability efforts by communities, businesses, schools and NGOs, emphasizing climate action and sustainable lifestyles.

GreenSign Future Lab 2025 in Berlin (Dec)

Hosted in Berlin, this event focused on sustainable innovation, especially in hospitality and service sectors, highlighting trends and best practices.

German Sustainability Award 2025 (Dec)

The annual German Sustainability Award - one of the nation’s highest recognitions for ESG leadership - was presented in Düsseldorf, spotlighting top performers in business and architecture.
On Friday, December 5, 2025, the "big picture" was created in Düsseldorf for the third time, a special snapshot of sustainable transformation: The heads of the 100 successful industry pioneers came together on stage. During the evening it was announced who received a special prize as "Best of the Best" in one of the five transformation fields.

Event canelndar 2026 - European Biolastics - here.

UNESCO & sustainability impact sites

October 2025: Germany hosted expert training related to UNESCO biosphere reserves and geoparks aimed at strengthening sustainable development measures aligned with global environmental targets.
Biodiversity is vanishing at an alarming frequency, up to 1,000 times the natural rate, raising deep concern among scientists.
UNESCO designated sites, including Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO Global Geoparks, stand at the forefront of this challenge. They convert global commitments into tangible local action, serving as catalysts for climate resilience, biodiversity and geodiversity conservation, and sustainable socio-economic development.

In collaboration with the German Commission for UNESCO, a training workshop was organised. The workshop took place on 27-28 October 2025 gathered 33 participants from 17 countries, including site managers of Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks, members of MAB and Geopark committees, UNEP representatives, scientists, and policymakers engaged in climate, biodiversity, and geodiversity reporting.

Renewable energy contributions rising

Relevant reporting and commentary suggest increasing renewable energy deployment, particularly solar and wind, as part of Germany’s ongoing energy transition (e.g., high solar contribution in May 2025).

Earth Overshoot Day in Germany (24 July)

According to the BUND environmental organization, Germany’s ecological footprint reached Earth Overshoot Day on July 24, meaning the country had used more resources than can be sustainably regenerated in a year.
Germany's lifestyle has an above-average impact on climate and resources. Global Footprint Network calls for decisive political steps and names concrete approaches such as higher CO2 prices, better recycling, less car traffic and a more sustainable diet.

The Global Footprint Network has also analyzed several measures that could postpone the Earth overload day by a calculated time, such as:

  • Increased CO2 price of about 95 euros per ton (in Germany currently at 25 euros per tonne): + 63 days
  • Expand renewable energies so that 75 percent of electricity is generated with it (currently 39 percent worldwide): + 26 days
  • Reduce car trips by 50 percent: + 13 days
  • Cut food waste in half: + 13 days

Read the full report here.

PPWR drives German packaging overhaul with chemical recycling

The EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR) is a significant overhaul of European packaging law. Adopted on 11 February 2025, and applying from 12 August 2026, the PPWR replaces the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC (PPWD). It introduces sweeping obligations for businesses placing packaging on the EU market - whether based inside or outside of the Union. Its aim is clear: to drive circularity, reduce waste and harmonize rules across EU Member States.

For companies, the regulation is not just about recyclability - it touches every stage of the packaging lifecycle, from design and material selection to labelling, reuse systems and extended producer responsibility.

Ten key aspects of the PPWR that both EU and non-EU businesses should know, including new recycled content targets, recyclability requirements, bans on certain single-use plastics, restrictions on substances and strict labelling rules.
  1. IN-SCOPE PACKAGING AND PACKAGING WASTE
  2. NEW RECYCLED CONTENT TARGETS
  3. NEW RECYCLABILITY TARGETS
  4. NEW PACKAGING REUSABILITY AND RE-FILL REQUIREMENTS
  5. MINIMISATION OF EMPTY SPACE AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
  6. NEW LABELLING REQUIREMENTS
  7. SUBSTANCE RESTRICTIONS INCLUDING PFAS IN FOOD PACKAGING
  8. BANS ON CERTAIN SINGLE USE PLASTICS
  9. MANDATORY EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY SCHEMES
  10. TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION AND CONFORMITY


Domo Chemicals’ German subsidiaries file for insolvency

DOMO Chemicals is among the DOMO Group subsidiaries filing for insolvency - an outcome attributed to high energy prices, low demand, and ongoing imports from non-EU countries.

The German subsidiaries of Domo Chemicals - Domo Chemicals GmbH, Domo Caproleuna GmbH and Domo Engineering Plastics GmbH - have filled for insolvency.

Heilbronn, European Green Capital 2027!

Prestigious European Green Cities Awards, announced on 2 October in Vilnius during a festive ceremony at the national art gallery that Heilbronn (Germany) will be the European Green Capital 2027.
In 2027, Heilbronn (Germany) will be the European Green Capital, and the European Green Leaf Awards - for smaller cities - will go to Assen (the Netherlands) and Siena (Italy).

The jury awarded Heilbronn the title of European Green Capital 2027 based on top scores that the city received in air quality, water, noise, climate change adaptation and the circular economy.

Heilbronn demonstrates a successful intersectoral collaboration of noise, climate and air pollution into its ‘Landscape Plan 2030’ and the city’s ‘Mobility Concept’. Citizen engagement is central, with participatory platforms, awareness campaigns, and protection for quiet areas.

The jury also recognised the city’s ambitious targets for 2035, as well as the regional collaborations that Heilbronn has built to further improve air quality and noise reduction.

Heilbronn will succeed 2025 titleholder Vilnius (Lithuania) and 2026 titleholder Guimarães (Portugal).
Sign up for my newsletter and follow me on LinkedIn for more news!
To book my sustainability consultation and explore the cooperation ways you may here.