Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Planetary boundaries: Challenges for science, civil society and politics

The planetary boundaries concept was formulated in 2009 by a research group led by J. Rockström and revised by W. Steffen et al. in 2015. The most important challenges for the further processing of the concept include the translation, operationalization, utilization, downscaling and application of the concept. This was the starting point of the project “Planetary Boundaries: Challenges for science...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Lessons from the Corona Crisis: New guiding principles required for environmental and sustainability policy? – a discussion paper

The position paper reflects, which guiding principles for future environmental and sustainability policy might be necessary in addition to the existing ones in order to achieve firstly effective crisis management of current and possibly future pandemics and secondly the kick-off into socio-ecological transformations needed to reduce long-term environmental risks. The proposals are based on a caref...read more

Climate | Energy

Presentation and Comparison of Site Investigation Methods for Offshore Wind Energy in the European North Seas Countries in the Context of the EU North Seas Energy Cooperation

As part of the Energy Cooperation between the North Seas Countries to facilitate the further environment friendly, sustainable and effective deployment of offshore renewable energy, this report provides an overview on the site investigation procedures that are applied. The differences and similarities of the procedures are outlined with special consideration of regulatory and technical aspects as...read more

Waste | Resources

ILESA - Smart steering of waste streams containing precious and minor metals: pooling, temporary storage, recovery rate

Final Report (Brief version)

The ILESA project investigated magnetic materials containing rare earth metals, vehicle electronics and other waste streams containing precious and minor metals with the objective to enhance the recovery of these metals. In order to increase recycling, dismantling and recycling obligations, labelling obligations, consolidation/ pooling workshops and other measures were developed and assessed using...read more

Transport

Let’s go!

Framework for a National Walking Strategy

Walking is the healthiest, cheapest and most environmentally friendly means of transport. Furthermore, active mobility, such as walking and cycling, is an essential element in successfully transforming the transport sector and achieving sustainable urban mobility. Despite this walking is still a niche topic in Germany. Cities, towns and communities who are responsible for walking are calling for a...read more

Nachhaltigkeit | Strategien | Internationales

European Green Recovery – Building back better based on the Green Deal

This position paper is the result of the work of the EPA Network’s group on Green Stimulus and reflects the inputs of all participants of the group. It emphasizes the urgent need to use the EU’s Covid-19 recovery efforts to also address the climate and biodiversity crises. Applying ambitious sustainability criteria to the economic recovery programmes of the EU will not only contribute to meeting t...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

International Environmental and Sustainability Policy During and After the Covid-19 Pandemic

The position paper discusses the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the global economy and geopolitics, for the countries of the Global South and for international environmental and sustainability policy. On this basis, the paper proposes approaches for a substantive reorientation of international environmental and sustainability policy. For example, the nexus of environment and health shou...read more

Wirtschaft | KonsumNachhaltigkeit | Strategien | Internationales

The Green New Consensus: Study Shows Broad Consensus on Green Recovery Programmes and Structural Reforms

The paper analyses 130 studies on green recovery programmes. It finds broad consensus on the need to use the Covid-19 recovery efforts to also address the climate and biodiversity crises. Consensus also exist on the benefits of green recovery programmes, the eligibility criteria to be applied and suitable areas of support. Further, research is increasingly calling for linking green recovery progra...read more