WBGU

The Scientific Advisory Board of the Federal Government on Global Environmental Changes (WBGU) is an independent, interdisciplinary expert committee established in 1992 in the run-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, "Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro") by the German federal government. The headquarters of the WBGU is located in Berlin.

The WBGU consists of nine scientists representing various natural and social science disciplines. Their main tasks include:

• The analysis and assessment of global environmental and development issues as well as the preparation of reports and policy analyses[2][3].
• The evaluation and assessment of national and international research in the field of global change.
• The early warning of new problem areas and the identification of research deficits.
• The observation and assessment of national and international policies aimed at achieving sustainable development.
• The development of action and research recommendations.
• The promotion of public awareness of the issues of global change through press and public relations work[2][3].

The WBGU has the mission to provide scientific knowledge and recommendations for political and societal action to promote sustainable development. The work of the WBGU is based on the values of scientific independence, interdisciplinarity, and commitment to a sustainable future.

A central goal of the WBGU is to promote sustainable development by reducing global environmental burdens. This includes:

• The decarbonization of energy systems and overcoming global energy poverty[4].
• The development of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the areas of energy and land use[4].
• The promotion of a "social contract" for a "Great Transformation" towards a climate-compatible and sustainable society. This includes changing production, consumption patterns, and lifestyles to minimize global greenhouse gas emissions[4].