The industrial sector and manufacturing industry in Germany marked emissions reductions of 20 percent – owing largely to the economic crisis. Carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 8.2 percent (68 million tonnes). Primary energy consumption shrank by 6.5 percent. The expansion of renewable energies and boosting energy efficiency offer opportunities to also reduce greenhouse gas emissions in times of economic growth.
Efforts in environmental protection may not let up. “We must now lay the groundwork for necessary ecological restructuring of the economy. The area of climate protection in particular cannot afford to set its sights on short-term success alone.”, said UBA President Jochen Flasbarth on the occasion of the presentation of the new UBA annual “What matters 2010”.
A study at Cologne-Bonn airport commissioned by UBA reconfirm: The risk of cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders in persons affected by night-time aircraft noise is higher than in those not exposed at all. “In the name of sustainable mobility we must take a critical look at which night-time flight activity is really necessary”, said UBA President Jochen Flasbarth.
The transport sector can help to protect the climate not only through technical measures, but also through a multitude of non-technical measures which have major CO2 saving potential. This is the key conclusion of a new UBA status report on CO2 emission reduction in the transport sector in Germany. The report identifies significant saving potentials for the 2020 and 2030 time horizons.
The debate over economic growth and welfare and the link between the two has re-intensified both nationally and internationally. Deficits exist, for example, in the inclusion of the costs of environmental changes and of maintaining social cohesion, which gross domestic product (GDP) does not cover. A research project commissioned by UBA has analysed possible complementary indicators and proposes a “National Welfare Index” (NWI) composed of 21 sub-variables.
UBA speaks again in favour of use of the environmentally friendly refrigerant R744 and against the use of HFC-1234yf as a refrigerant in mobile air conditioners. New tests of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) confirm hazards associated with the use of HFC-1234yf.
The UBA is organising an international forum on ”greening real estate markets” in cooperation with the UNECE. It will take place 26/27 April 2010 and will be attended by the UNECE Executive Secretary and UBA’s President. Topics include the advantages of eco-construction for real estate markets and incentives governments can provide to encourage more environmentally sound building.
The export of so-called WEEE continues to cause a stir, for used equipment is reused and disposed of under catastrophic conditions in import countries. A new study commissioned by UBA says that the consumer must also do something to solve the problem.
Since 1 March 2010, it constitutes an administrative offence inter alia to place batteries on the market without previously registering their presence on the market. The Batteries Act register has been accessible via the UBA website since 1.12.2009.
Nanotechnology is playing an ever greater role in product and process innovations. Whilst this is an opportunity to develop new products, it also harbours risks for the environment and health. Use of products that contain and may release nanomaterials should be avoided wherever possible, at least as long as their impact on mankind and the environment is still largely unknown.
Marine litter, particularly plastic waste, is a serious ecological, economic and aesthetic problem. A new paper by UBA identifies its sources and shows what can be done to prevent its input. The 20,000 tonnes of waste dumped annually into the North Sea have added up to a volume of some 600,000 cubic metres that is accumulated in and on the seabed. Northeast Atlantic beaches are littered on average with 712 waste items per 100 metres of coastline. This litter is a threat to marine animals – they become entangled in it and are strangled or swallow it and suffocate or die of starvation. The EC Marine Strategy Framework Directive requires an assessment at Community level of all pressures on the marine environment caused by human activities.
