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The Federal Environment Agency works on many different aspects of global climate change. The ”climate protection” area focuses on climate change and its impact on different systems and fields as well as the future development of international climate protection conventions (Climate Framework Convention, Kyoto Protocol).
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More information on climate protection, emissions, and energy are on our related web pages, listed below right.
“Germany has shown that Kyoto targets can be met. I trust that we can continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions successfully as we pursue efforts to increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energies“, said Jochen Flasbarth, President of the UBA. The new National Inventory Report states that an average of 295 million tonnes less carbon dioxide per year have been emitted to the atmosphere since 1990. That is a cut of almost 25 percent over the 1990 index year.
A global climate protection treaty binding on all states will be in place for the first time in 2020. This was agreed by all participants in the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, including major emitters like the USA, China or India. The Kyoto Protocol will be prolonged; however, it commits countries whose total emissions account for just 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additional voluntary measures to mitigate climate change must now be taken if the rise in global temperature is to be kept below 2 degrees Celsius, said UBA President Flasbarth in an interview with Deutschlandradio Kultur, and sees the EU as taking a leading role.
The five people leading different lifestyles that are profiled in the brochure and which has now also been published in English illustrate that there are several ways to achieve a climate-neutral lifestyle. Read now about the “big points” of climate-conscious consumption.
Intentional and targeted large-scale interventions in the climate system that aim to reduce global anthropogenic warming is known as geo-engineering. Some of the well-known examples of it are spreading sulphur aerosols into the atmosphere and ocean fertilisation. How viable are these options? The UBA has information on the risks, possible assessment criteria, legal frameworks, and issues some initial recommendations on how to address the issue. This new BMBF-funded study evaluates the use of geo-engineering and shows that any use of these technologies could potentially have global implications.
A new Federal Environment Agency study examines the role which sinks and emissions in the sector of land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) play in existing and future emissions trading systems. Harmonised standards are important to ensure that the different regional emissions trading systems will be able to form an effective and efficient international carbon market in future.
Emissions trading systems have been or are being established in many countries and regions around the world to curb climate-damaging emissions of greenhouse gases. Most of these systems include measures to safeguard the competitiveness of industries under an emissions cap. A study commissioned by UBA has examined and compared various approaches, with the aim of an early identification of potential barriers to the linking of emissions trading systems to a global carbon market.
In order to evaluate the progress Germany is making in adapting to climate change, the Federal Government is aiming to regularly review progress made under the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS). On behalf of UBA, proposals for an indicator system and a report on indicators were developed for such progress review. This is also a first contribution by Germany towards the development of a clearinghouse mechanism for adaptation in Europe.
Extreme weather events such as heavy precipitation or heat waves, have become tangibly more frequent in the last few decades. Research done by the German Meteorological Service (DWD) and UBA corroborate this trend. In all likelihood frequency and intensity will continue to rise. Flooding and heat waves underscore the need to adapt to climate change.
A new UBA study analyses options for integrating the greenhouse gas emissions from marine transport into the EU emissions trading system. IMO (International Maritime Organization) bodies have not reached agreement so far on substantial climate protection measures in marine transport. If no progress is made at IMO level, integrating marine transport into the European emissions trading system could be a first step on the road towards a global solution.
Global emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) will increase to 4 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalents by 2050 if no political mitigation measures are taken. The contribution of F-gases to global warming is projected to grow from 1.3% (2004) to 7.9% of total direct CO2 emissions. This is the result of a German study which underlines once more the urgent need for measures to reduce F-gas emissions.
The study ”Policy Scenarios V – towards a structural change; greenhouse gas emissions scenarios up to 2030”, conducted on behalf of the UBA by a research consortium led by the Öko-Institut, shows that Germany can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2020 compared to 1990. A reduction of even almost 60% could be achieved by 2030. The biggest driving force would be the electricity sector, which alone could reduce CO2 emissions by roughly 250 million tonnes between 2005 and 2030.
As a supra-regional water supplier in Europe, the Alps are particularly affected by climate change. Some inner-alpine regions are already taking measures to adapt to changing water availability. On behalf of the EEA and in cooperation with other renowned institutions in Germany and abroad, the UBA has analysed possible measures, key factors of success in their implementation and barriers to be overcome.
According to current figures by the Federal Environment Agency, greenhouse gas emissions in Germany in 2007 were 22.4 percent below emissions in the Kyoto base year (1990/1995). This means that Germany is well on its way to achieving the Kyoto target of a total reduction of 21 percent by 2008-2012. In addition to the climate protection measures that have been initiated, the current success in reduction is also due to low temperatures and other favourable conditions.
Emissions trading has been a key environmental protection instrument since 2005. First experience has now been gained, and the EU’s climate change package of January 2008 has raised the issue of its further development. The new study examines the extent to which emissions trading interacts with other environmental protection instruments such as energy taxation. It also considers international linking of emissions trading systems and gives recommendations for possible mergers.
On 17 November 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the summary of its Fourth Assessment Report on Climate Change. Some 3000 experts from 130 countries presented three working group reports in 2007. A new background paper of the Federal Environment Agency provides an overview of some of the IPCC's key messages. Two things are clear: Greenhouse gas emissions must fall markedly worldwide and humankind must adapt to climate change more quickly.
The Federal Environment Agency has published a report and a position paper on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The study assesses the technologies for CO2 capture and storage. The position paper examines the storage potential and environmental impacts of CCS and concludes that CCS is only an interim solution and will not be available for large scale power plants in Germany before 2020. The English summaries of both documents can be downloaded here. The long versions are available in German only.
The Federal Environment Agency commissioned a research project to investigate
the significance and impact of extreme weather on Germany. The results
show that the climate changes of the 20th century occurred parallel with
a clear change in extreme weather events. The parameters and regions investigated
revealed differences depending on season and geographic characteristics.
The EU Member States have committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. A study by the Federal Environment Agency looks into the differences in target attainment by Member States and analyses factors that may have been responsible for this. Based on this, it makes proposals for future burden sharing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Germany may experience a noticeable general rise in temperatures due to climate change. New regional climate model calculations predict a temperature rise of between 1.8 – and 2.3 degrees Celsius by the end of this century. Precipitation as well may change considerably in some regions. Summers will be drier whilst winters may become wetter on average. Regional findings like those are important to plan appropriate adaptation measures.
The large majority of experts agree that climate change will bear grave consequences for mankind and the environment. Knowledge about the impending dangers and possibilities to act have increased considerably over the past few decades. What matters now is recognizing the future risks of climate change for the individual regions in Germany and containing potential damage by means of active climate protection and adaptation efforts.
The flexible project-based Kyoto mechanisms JI (Joint implementation) and CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) can do much to support the international diffusion of climate-friendly technologies and thus increase the cost-efficiency of climate protection measures. A new study predicts a significant market growth for CDM and JI projects.
What is CO2, where does it come from, why is there so much of it, what are its effects on the climate? We invite anyone interested in the answers to these questions to see and visit the experiments, exhibits and learning platforms of an interactive touring exhibition by the Environment Science Center of the University of Augsburg at the Federal Environment Agency. A special treat on exhibit is a petrified leaf of a primordial tree and a bit of what is left of Quirinus petroleum.
When? 14 November 2011 to 31 January 2012; Monday thru Fridays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where? UBA, Bismarckplatz 1, 14193 Berlin
The cities of Stuttgart, Arnsberg and Wuppertal and the WOGENO housing cooperative in Munich are the winners of the Blauer Kompass 2011 contest. The prize is awarded to the best ideas of adaptation to climate change in Germany. It was conferred for first time on 12 December 2011 by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Environment Agency. Participants included 59 municipalities, businesses and associations.
The aviation sector participates in emissions trading in Europe as of January 2012. Airlines and business jet operators must surrender one emissions certificate for every tonne of carbon dioxide they produce. The airlines in the remit of Germany received notification in December about their allotted CO2 certificates. Companies now know how many of these emissions trading certificates are available to them free of charge until 2020. As expected, the European Court of Justice confirmed on 21/12/2011 that international airlines also have to participate in the emission trading.
Most industrialized countries and some developing countries have committed to Greenhouse gas mitigation pledges 2020 during Copenhagen Climate summit. These pledges have been endorsed within the Cancún Agreement of December 2010. A new study on behalf of Federal Environment Agency shows: The European Union is able to achieve its 30% target by 2020 at manageable cost, even when implementing climate goals unilaterally. Results of the study also show, that ambitious climate policies will have only minor impacts on the global economy.
In the international climate negotiations new market mechanisms are being discussed. Compared to the project based mechanisms such as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), such new mechanisms would lead to a change in the role of emitters, investors and governments. The governments of developing and rapidly developing countries must take on a greater responsibility for the implementation of measures in their countries and ensure the actual reduction of greenhouse gasses being strived for.
In 2009 greenhouse gas emissions in Germany continued to fall, by 6.3 percent in comparison to the previous year. This is the largest decrease ever in Germany, and owes mainly to the economic crisis. Compared with 1990, GHG emissions fell even by 26.3 percent. According to preliminary calculations, emissions rose again in 2010, by 4.3 percent compared to 2009, but Germany’s overall volume of 960 million tonnes continued to undercut the Kyoto target value.
A study commissioned by UBA analyses the climate protection plans of the emerging economies with high levels of greenhouse gas emissions: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The conclusion is that their successful implementation would reduce emissions considerably, thereby making the climate protection plans of these countries an important part of long-term, effective global climate protection.
A study commissioned by the UBA has explored how the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) introduced under the Kyoto Protocol could be further developed in a post-2012 climate regime. The goal of the four reform proposals is to use the CDM to achieve a global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions instead of continuing a system of pure offsetting.
Climate protection is mainly about avoiding emissions at home, but a system of voluntary carbon offsetting through projects abroad makes it possible to do even more to protect the climate. Studies done on behalf of the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the Federal Environment Agency provide insight to the projects and quality criteria as well as the general framework of the carbon offsetting market.
Some processes using limestone release large amounts of the greenhouse gas CO2, e.g. burning of lime for cement manufacture. UBA and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources have published an updated balance covering all limestone uses in Germany. The new methodology will allow Germany to calculate its CO2 emissions more precisely in future. These data are needed for annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions under the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The UN-climate negotiations in December in Copenhagen did not achieve the desired success. However, at least several advances were made that can help to reach a legally binding agreement. This analysis examines the negotiations in Copenhagen as well as their results. Highlighted are lessons we can learn from these experiences and how we can move forward for an agreement in Cancun in December.
While the UN climate summit in December 2009 in Copenhagen failed to produce an international agreement, the majority of industrialised countries and several developing countries have submitted targets for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions under the Copenhagen Accord. A new study commissioned by UBA shows inter alia that these reduction targets are not yet sufficient to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
As compared to the previous year, CO2 emissions sank by 9.4 percent which is the lowest level since introduction of emissions trading in Europe in 2005. The emissions trading sector affirms the overall trend announced by the Federal Environment Agency in early March 2010. The greatest share in reduction can be traced to declines in production resulting from the economic downturn in 2009.
Where are the political turning points currently important for tackling climate change, both nationally and internationally? And how can Germany better adapt to climate change? The UBA provides answers to these questions in it's recently finished Concept for a Future Climate Policy.
The aim of CCS technology is to reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions. In a background paper, UBA has formulated requirements for safe and environmentally sound carbon capture, transport and underground storage.
UBA-sponsored research on the risks of climate change and on options for adapting to its impacts – UBA currently supports about 30 projects on this issue – made an important contribution to the development of the German adaptation strategy and action plan on adaptation (due to be published in April 2011). The status conference aims to provide an insight into the diversity of this research and into ongoing work between the German Environment Ministry and the UBA in shaping climate change adaptation policy.
In the current trading period an annual volume of over 40 million emission allowances (EUAs) is sold by the German Federal Government on different stock exchanges. Starting in 2010 that amount will have to be auctioned, and in 2013 auctioning will become the basic allocation principle throughout the EU. This paper discusses methodological and institutional issues concerning the design of an auctioning scheme in Germany.
Operators produced far lower volume of greenhouse gases in 2008 and were in major part responsible for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. ”Emissions trading is a proven instrument for promoting effective climate protection”, says Dr. Hans-Jürgen Nantke, Head of the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA).
In the negotiations on a post-2012 climate change agreement, attempts are being made to also include emissions from deforestation in tropical countries into such a regime. The report takes six countries as an example to describe the methodological problems in determining related CO2 emissions and proposes practical solutions.
With this report, which is based on the study "Policy scenarios for climate protection IV - Scenarios up to 2030", Germany is meeting its reporting obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. It concludes that Germany will achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2000 and 2020 with the climate protection measures initiated, and additional climate protection instruments could even result in reductions of 31%.
Many less developed countries have considerable, as yet untapped, potential for using renewable energies. A new study looks into the role the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) can play in exploiting these potentials.