... for the world of policy
The nations of the world community agreed to jointly follow the course towards sustainable development at the major environment and development conferences in Rio (1992) and Johannesburg (2002). The challenge now for policy makers at all political levels is to set the course accordingly, and make that intention a reality. To help provide the scientific basis for policy decisions, the Wuppertal Institute at its inception made policy consulting a central element of its remit.
Implementing practical solutions ...
Policy consulting can never be abstract but must always be related to a particular, practical case. The Wuppertal Institute's studies analyse, for example, which ecological effects individual policy instruments or measures would have, which costs would occur and which social implications would arise. In this way, the background to decision making is illuminated, and the consequences of decisions become transparent. What kind of building rehabilitation programme may be expected to achieve sustainable effects? How can we determine a society's resource use and influence it by means of policy measures? It is specific questions such as these which guide our research.
... at regional, national and international levels
The Wuppertal Institute works for clients at all political levels. The questions we are asked to research include, for example, how sustainable transport systems in the megacities of developing and newly industrialising countries (Shanghai, Mexico City, Santiago de Chile) must be designed or how municipal utilities in Germany must position themselves to be able to fulfil future requirements.
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