Member Councils

Name: Federal Council for Sustainable Development (Federale Raad voor Duurzame Ontwikkeling/Conseil Fédéral du Développement Durable, FRDO-CFDD)

Established in: 1997 (as the successor to the National Council for Sustainable Development which functioned as from 1993)

Role: The council provides strategic advice to the Government on issues relating to sustainable development. All members of the federal government can ask the council for an opinion, or the council can issue an opinion or advisory report on its own initiative.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: express opinions on all measures concerning federal policy on sustainable development; provide a forum for exchanging views on sustainable development and propose research in all fields relating to sustainable development.

Composition: The FRDO-CFDD is a multi-stakeholder council and has 24 members with voting rights. Council members represent social partners, environmental, youth, consumers' and development NGOs, or are representatives of scientific bodies, trade unions, employers, and the business community. Representatives of federal and regional ministries also participate as observers to the council.

The secretariat: The FRDO-CFDD has a secretariat that comprises 8 staff members.

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Name: Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development of Catalonia (Consell Assessor per al Desenvolupament Sostenible, CADS)

Established in: 1998 (The Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development of Catalonia has been continuously active since then)

Role: the council is the strategic advisory body of the Government of Catalunya in the field of sustainability, and it develops this task through the consultation and participation of experts and the civil society. Reports and proposals launched by council are issued both at the request of the Government and at their own initiative.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: a) Advise Government in the area of sustainable development and, particularly, on the integration of sustainability in policies, territorial and sectorial urban planning instruments, on legislative and regulatory projects, as well as strategic projects or initiatives promoted by the Government. b) Analyse the strategic polices for sustainable development promoted by the Government, especially with regard to energy, water, food safety, climate change and the green economy, and formulate proposals in these areas. c) Promote the transfer of knowledge and dialogue between the Government, the academic world and civil society in the area of sustainable development. d) Advise the Government on the design and execution of actions to promote education on sustainability. e) Promote the involvement of economic and social sectors in Catalonia’s sustainable development process. Since 2017 the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia is supporting, by mandate of the Government of Catalonia, the High-level Political Commission and the Technical Committee in charge of the elaboration of the National Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Catalonia. Together with the Statistical Institute of Catalonia, the council works on the official set of SDGs indicators in Catalonia, using the Eurostat set of SDGs indicators. Fulfilling a mandate of the Parliament of Catalonia from November 2018, the Advisory Council for the Sustainable Development of Catalonia is due to appear twice yearly in the Parliament of Catalonia to give its opinion in the attainment of the SDGs in Catalonia.

Composition: CADS has 1 president and 15 council members. All council members are acknowledged experts with a variety of backgrounds. Council members are appointed ad-personam and express their views on an independent and individual basis. The council may create groups of experts in specific areas, whether on a steady or one-off basis. The recommendations made by the groups of expert individuals are purely consultative for the council.

The secretariat: CADS has a secretariat that includes 6 staff members.

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Name: Danish Council on Climate Change (Klimarådet)

Established in: 2014 (Established as part of the Danish Climate Change Act)

Role: The Danish Council on Climate Change provides suggestions for cost-effective climate policy solutions, paving the way for a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions society by 2050 at the latest, while simultaneously maintaining welfare and development. Adapting to climate change is not part of the Council's mission and is therefore not a focus area.

Duties: Firstly, the Council should evaluate the status of Denmark's implementation of national climate objectives and international climate commitments. Secondly, the council should analyse potential means of transitioning to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions society by 2050 at the latest and identify possible measures to achieve greenhouse gas reductions. Furthermore, the council should draw up recommendations to help shape climate policy, including a selection of potential mechanisms and transition scenarios. To conclude, the council must, to the extent required in the preparation of its analyses and other work, consult and involve relevant parties, including, among other business interests, social partners in the labour market and civil society.

Composition: The Danish Council on Climate Change consists of six members together with a chairman who are all appointed for a four-year term of office by the incumbent minister of climate and energy. The Danish Council on Climate Change's expertise is wide-ranging, and the council is engaged in work with all aspects of the transition to a low-carbon society. In order to tackle this major task, the Danish Council on Climate Change is composed of experts with knowledge of various areas.

The secretariat: The Danish Council on Climate Change is assisted by a secretariat consisting of a secretary and twelve employees with specialist expertise relating to the Council's areas of operations.

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Name: SAR Minaraad (SAR Minaraad)

Established in: 1991 (In June 2009, the Council was changed by decree to the ‘strategic advisory council for Environment and Nature, SAR Minaraad).

Role: The Minaraad advises on environmental and nature conservation policies in Flanders in a broad sense, including climate policy, energy policy, circular economy and good governance. The Minaraad may present both solicited and unsolicited advice to the Flemish government. The Flemish government must ask the Council for advice on all legislative projects concerning the policy fields within the council’s mandate.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: mediate between environmental movements, researchers, socio-cultural and socio-economic partners concerning environmental policy matters; prepare and present advisory reports, opinions and reflections upon proposed governmental policies within its mandate.

Composition: The Minaraad is a stakeholder body that includes 20 Council members, representing different stakeholders. Stakeholders include environmental and nature conservation NGOs in Flanders, social-economic pressure groups, countryside associations and socio-cultural associations. In addition, two members represent local governments.

The secretariat: The Minaraad has a secretariat that includes 8 staff members.

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Name: Expert Panel for Sustainable Development (Kestävyyspaneeli)

Established in: 2013 (The Panel has be given a renewed mandate in January 2019)

Role: The panel is an independent expert panel that supports the Commission for Sustainable Development in order for it to have an impact on decision-making and public discussion by bringing evidence based understanding and ethical considerations. The panel also further advances linking complicated questions for fitting environmental, economic and social aspects together, assessing the co-benefits and trade-offs between between them

Duties: The panel participates in the meetings of the Commission for Development providing comments and advise for the Finnish policy-making; exchange of knowledge with the Secretary of Sustainable Development in Prime Minister’s Office; generate discussions between science, policy and media.

Composition: Suggestions for panelist were asked from Finnish universities, research institutes, science institutes and ministries. From a vast number of suggestions, the directors of the host organizations called ten professors, who represent diverse aspects of sustainable development. The panel’s term is three years.

The secretariat: The panel has three hosts; Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki (HELSUS), Natural Recourses Institute Finland (Luke) and the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke). The Panel is coordinated by Dr. Katriina Soini from Natural Recources Institute Finland, Luke.

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Name: National Council for Ecological Transition (Conseil national de la transition écologique)

Established in: 2013

Role: The National Council for Ecological Transition (CNTE) is the forum for dialogue on ecological transition and sustainable development. Its creation aims to strengthen environmental social dialogue. The council can take up any issue of national interest concerning ecological transition and sustainable development

Duties: the Council is tasked to: issue consultative opinions on draft laws, mainly on the environment or energy, and on national strategies for sustainable development, biodiversity and the development of social responsibility; issue statements on policy proposals with regard to ecological transition; contribute to the preparation of international negotiations on the environment and sustainable development; take stock of the evolution of national performance and sustainable development indicators to measure the progress of ecological transition.

Composition: the CNTE is a multi-stakeholder council and has 50 members with voting rights. Council members represent local authorities, businesses, trade union organisations, environmental associations, NGOs, experts, and members of parliament.

The secretariat: the CNTE has a secretariat that comprises 2 staff members.

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Name: The German Advisory Council on the Environment (Sachverständigenrat für Umweltfragen, SRU)

Established in: 1971 (The German Advisory Council on the Environment has been active since then)

Role: The Council is an expert advisory body whose mission is to describe and assess environmental conditions, problems and political trends, and to point out solutions and preventive measures. The Council can provide both solicited and unsolicited advice to the government but is independent in all its decisions

Duties: The Council is tasked to: prepare an Environmental Report every four years and present it to the Federal German Government; provide advice on specific environmental problems via special reports; issue Statements and Comments in which it formulates recommendations on topical environmental questions, e.g. in relation to ongoing legislative processes.

Composition: The Council has seven members, all university professors from different disciplines who have special expert knowledge and experience in matters of environmental protection. Members are appointed on an ad personam basis for four years.

The secretariat: The SRU has a secretariat that includes 17 staff members. In addition to the secretariat staff, the Council members are assisted by part-time scientific assistants.

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Name: German Advisory Council on Global Change (Wissenschaftlicher Beirat der Bundesregierung Globale Umweltveränderungen, WBGU)

Established in: 1992 (the German Advisory Council on Global Change was established by the German Federal Government and has been given a renewed mandate since then)

Role: The German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) is an independent scientific advisory body to the German Federal Government. The Council provides recommendations for action and research on sustainability challenges for science, policy and society. The Council is fully independent in its work and choice of topics.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: compile scientific analyses, develop concepts, and propose solutions for global sustainability; think and advise in a systemic, independent and interdisciplinary manner; seek dialogue with policy-makers, society and international organisations, to reveal ways of achieving the transformation towards sustainability

Composition: The nine Council members of the WBGU are leading scientists with different disciplinary backgrounds. All are appointed by the German Government's Federal Cabinet for a term of four years.

The secretariat: The Berlin-based WBGU secretariat comprises 10 staff members, including 7 scientists. Each Council member is supported by a personal research assistant.

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Name: German Council for Sustainable Development (Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung, RNE)

Established in: 2001 (The German Council for Sustainable Development was established by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in 2001, since then the council has been given a continuously renewed mandate)

Role: The RNE advices on government policy or makes policy recommendations with regard to the implementation of sustainable development in Germany. The council can submit both solicited and unsolicited advice to the government.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: advise the government on its sustainable development policy; present proposals for targets and indicators, to advance the Sustainability Strategy, as well as to propose projects for realisation; foster social dialogue on the issue of sustainability. The objective here is to increase the level of awareness among all concerned and the population as to what sustainable development actually means by demonstrating the consequences of social action and discussing possible solutions

Composition: Its 15 council members are nominated by the Chancellor for a renewable term of three years. The current members were nominated in November 2016.

The secretariat: the RNE has a secretariat consisting of 14 staff members.

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Name: Hungarian National Council for Sustainable Development (Nemzeti Fenntartható Fejlődési Tanács, NFFT)

Established in: 2008 (The National Council for Sustainable Development was established by the National Assembly and has been given a renewed mandate since then)

Role: The Council has the role of advising the parliament on government policy or making policy recommendations to the parliament and government with regard to sustainable development. The Council can provide both solicited and unsolicited advice to government and parliament.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: prepare a bi-annual Monitoring Report on the National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development; provide a professional opinion on certain issues and make proposals regarding areas relevant to the Council; assume responsibility for facilitating the definition of the principles, objectives and comprehensive tasks of sustainable development in Hungary; promote an attitude change in all segments of society; promote the regular revision and implementation of the sustainable development strategy; support the coordination of the relevant planning and consultation activities, raising awareness and social engagement and implementation of the SDGs.

Composition: The Council’s members include politicians, representatives of economic and scientific life, churches, trade unions and civil society. The chairperson of the Council is the current Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament and the Council has 4 co-chairs, delegated by government, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the opposition parties in Parliament, and civil society organisations.

The secretariat: The NFFT has a secretariat that comprises 5 staff members.

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Name: National Council on the Environment

Established in: In 1995 through national legislation

Duties: The Council is tasked with reviewing proposed legislation and regulations relating to the environment. It also issues statements on environmental impact assessments as well as environmental plans and programmes. The Council is also responsible for advising the authorities on improving the institutional system for nature protection and environmental matters. Specific attention is focused on scientific research, education and the provision of information. The EU context plays an important role, particularly in relation to the council's task of issuing statements on environmental impact assessments, plans and programmes. These often stem directly from the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessments. The Council does not address the EU institutions, but translates the issues into the national context.

Composition: The Council has one member from the government, namely the State Secretary for Environmental Affairs. The other members are nominated from three umbrella organisations/coalitions: The Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the (industrial) employers' organisation and green NGOs. These three parties all have the same number of seats on the Council (seven each).

The secretariat: The Council is supported by its own independent secretariat. The secretariat is an administrative part of the Ministry of the Environment and Agriculture.

Name: The National Economic and Social Council (NESC)

Established in: 1973 (The National Economic and Social Council has been continuously active since then)

Role: The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) advises the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: contribute different perspectives from civil society together with Government; analyse the challenges facing Irish society and to develop a shared understanding among its members; provide (written) advise to the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development

Composition: The Council has 28 members. These members are representatives of business and employers’ organisations, trade unions, agricultural and farming organisations, community and voluntary organisations, and environmental organisations, as well as heads of Government departments and independent experts.

The secretariat: The NESC has a secretariat that comprises 17 staff members.

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Name: The Climate Change Advisory Council

Established in: The Climate Change Advisory Council was established under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.

Role: TThe Climate Change Advisory Council provides independent and science-based advice to Government and policy makers on what Ireland needs to do to achieve a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable climate neutral economy by 2050 and assessing the progress made towards this goal.

Duties: The Council, with the support of its Secretariat, conducts evidence-based analysis on how best to respond to the impact of climate change and provide timely advice on the most effective policies to assist with Ireland’s transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy. As part of this work, the Climate Change Advisory Council provides regular reports regarding Ireland’s progress in achieving its national policy goals and greenhouse gas emissions targets agreed by the European Union. The Council provides the following reports in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015: annual reviews and reports (Section 12 of the Act); periodic reviews and reports (Section 13 of the Act). The Council will also provide statements on issues and topics that it wishes to bring to the attention of government and key stakeholders. An amendment to the original Act was adopted in 2021. The amendment introduced the concepts of carbon budgets into Irish law. The Council was tasked with proposing to the Government a programme of carbon budgets for the periods 2021-2025, 2026-2030 and 2031-2035 (provisional). The Government and Oireachtas (Parliament) will then adopt carbon budgets at which point they take effect. The Government will then agree sectoral emissions ceilings and it will be the role of the Council to monitor and report on compliance with these sectoral emissions ceilings as part of its annual reviews. Ireland’s first carbon budgets were proposed by the Council on October 25th 2021. The legislation requires the Council to submit a carbon budget programme for the period 2026-2040 by the end of 2024.

Composition: The Council now composes of a chairperson (Ms. Marie Donnelly), and up to 13 ordinary members. The Council members have different backgrounds but should include the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency; the Director of the Irish National Meteorological Service (Met Éireann) and the Director of the Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc). Members are appointed by the Government, on the nomination of the Minister.

The secretariat: Seven experts work at the secretariat of the climate change advisory council in Ireland.

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Name: Luxembourg High Council for Sustainable Development (le Conseil supérieur pour le développement durable, CSDD)

Established in: 2004 (The Luxembourg High Council for Sustainable Development has been continuously active since then)

Role: Advising on government policy or making policy recommendations with regard to the topic of sustainable development. The Council operates independently and provides both solicited and unsolicited advice.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: act as a discussion forum on sustainable development matters; propose research and studies on topics related to sustainable development; express its views on adopted or planned measures regarding sustainable development (e.g. National Strategy for Sustainable Development); promote the participation of citizens, public and private bodies in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Luxembourg.

Composition: The Council comprises 15 members from various private and civil society sectors. Members are appointed on an ad personam basis, in light of their broad social expertise and experience.

The secretariat: The secretariat is led by the Conseillère de direction 1er classe of the ministry for the environment, climate and sustainable development.

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Name: Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Raad voor de leefomgeving en infrastructuur, Rli)

Established in: 2012 (The Netherlands revised the structure of its advisory bodies by merging several councils, to eventually establish the Rli by law in 2012.)

Role: The Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) is the primary strategic advisory board for the Dutch government and parliament on matters affecting sustainable development of the physical environment and infrastructure. The Council operates independently and provides both solicited and unsolicited advice.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: contribute to social debate and the political decision-making process, through its strategic advice; monitor trends and draw attention to social issues and to place those issues on the agenda; produce its advisory reports in an open process which involves close collaboration with the commissioning client and other stakeholders.

Composition: The Council has ten members, including the chair. All members are independent and are appointed on the basis of their broad expertise and experience. They are drawn from various backgrounds including public administration, the private sector and academia. At the start of its second term in August 2016, the Council decided to appoint three junior members in order to incorporate the knowledge and experience of younger generations in its work. These junior members participate fully in all the activities of the Council.

The secretariat: The Rli has a secretariat that includes 28 (part-time) staff members.

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Name: Consultative Council for Sustainable Development

Established in: 2021

Role: The Advisory Council is a body set up to ensure the contribution and involvement of academia, research and civil society in the effective implementation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Romania 2030. At the same time, it has the role of supporting and encouraging the implementation of good practices relevant for Romania, with positive results at European and international level, within the mechanisms of public administrations involved in the process of sustainable development.

Composition: The Advisory Council has 34 members.

The secretariat: The council is supported by an expert team that is part of the Department for Sustainable Development of the government of Romania.

Name: National Council on Environment and Sustainable Development (Conselhos Nacionais de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, CNADS)

Established in: 1997 (The National Council for the Environment and the Sustainable Development / CNADS was set up by decree law no. 221/97. It was later reinforced, and its members increased by decree law no. 134/2004 of 3 June).

Role: CNADS is an independent body that aims to advise Government members responsible for the environment and sustainable development, public entities and NGOs on all matters associated with the environment and sustainable development. It is also a forum for debate and the design and implementation of environmental and sustainable development policies.

Duties: The Council is tasked to: scrutinise government policy; create government policy (including the National Sustainable Development Strategy, NSDS); make policy recommendations; facilitate stakeholder engagement to promote the engagement of civil society organisations in sustainable development issues.

Composition: CNADS is a multi-stakeholder council that has 34 Council Members. Members are designated by central and regional governments and by civil society, including NGOs, local administration, universities, business and trade unions. In addition, there are 8 members designated in their personal capacity by the Central Government, 2 members appointed by the Regional Governments of Açores and Madeira and 2 others designated by Local Administration.

The secretariat: the CNADS has a secretariat that includes 4 staff members.

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Name: The Netherlands Scientific Climate Council

Established in: 2023

Role: The Scientific Climate Council (WKR) advises cabinet and parliament on the content and direction of climate policy. It does so by providing strategic policy advice based on interdisciplinary scientific knowledge.

Duties: The council issues opinions which may be in response to a specific request for advice from a minister or parliament or may be initiated by the council itself. In its planning, the council reserves time to ensure that its advice is properly acted upon, for instance by organising events.

Composition: The ten council members of the Scientific Climate Council meet every month. The council aims to issue three to five opinions each year.

The secretariat: The staff office of the WKR is now forming and will eventually encompass over 20 expert staff members supporting the council. The staff office consists of researchers from various scientific disciplines and backgrounds. They link (scientific) knowledge to policy. There are also staff members for communication and operations. The staff office advises and facilitates the council from their specific knowledge and area of expertise.

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