Download our 10-point Response to the NRW Sustainability Strategy

North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) is currently updating its sustainability strategy. Building on this momentum, around 20 civil society organisations, including the CSCP, have issued an open statement on the draft strategy, highlighting priorities and perspectives from across the region.

The organisations, which operate under the umbrella of the Sustainability Forum NRW (Fachforum Nachhaltigkeit NRW), coordinated by LAG 21, have praised NRW’s work on this topic, but urge for stronger commitments on implementation.

The updated strategy has ambitious goals: it is designed as a comprehensive framework to guide NRW toward an interdisciplinary, cross-departmental, and sustainable future. Over the past several years, the Sustainability Forum NRW has closely accompanied the update process. In November 2023, the alliance submitted ten key recommendations focused on strengthening the strategy’s binding force, effectiveness, and practical implementation.

With the new draft version on the table, the forum has reviewed whether those demands have been addressed.

The verdict? A mix of encouragement and caution.

According to the statement, the new draft sends “many positive signals” and presents compelling long-term visions. A clearer structure, defined transformation areas, and identified leverage points are seen as major improvements. The expanded and refined system of goals and indicators also marks tangible progress. Even the redesigned layout has enhanced readability.

However, the organisations warn that critical aspects of implementation remain vague. The draft, they argue, lacks clearly defined measures, binding commitments, responsible institutions, and timelines. Without these, the strategy risks remaining aspirational rather than actionable.

The CSCP pointed out the lack of strategies for considering and involving vulnerable groups such as low-income groups or people with a migrant background.

The forum’s core message is clear: the strategy should move from knowledge to action, from paper to practice.

The full statement, highlighting both positive aspects as well as proposed improvements, is now available for download.

For further questions, please contact Alexandra Kessler.