Sustainable development and the energy sector - German efforts and potentials

The concept of sustainable development which links conservation of natural basis for life for future generations to the claim for economic prosperity and social development, is discussed. There is only limited social consensus on overall concept of Sustainable Development in Germany. In the overall concept of Sustainable Development in field of energy production and energy supply, the problem of risk assessment should be given more weight. The politicians and political decision-makers in federal and state governments have the task, in addition to adapting current policy fields and options, of opening up new fields and possibilities for action by increasing efforts in research.