Is the German Energy System Sustainable? An Analysis Based on the UNCSD Theme-Based Approach of Sustainability

Sustainable development is a crucial element for the future of the world and a keystone of the international agenda. The Index of Sustainable Development (ISD) calculates the degree to which sustainable development has been achieved. ISD starts by (1) measuring the individual indicators of a sustainability strategy; (2) then measures the subordinate themes or pillars, which contain these indicators; (3) and finally measures the total system, consisting of the sum of the themes. The ISD provides quantified information for each of these levels for the public and political decision makers. The ISD is used to analyze as an example the sustainability of the German Energy sector, based on the targets the German Government set in its 2002 sustainability strategy.