Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy, Transport

Analysis of the environmental impacts of vehicles with alternative drivetrains or fuels on the way to greenhouse gas-neutral transport

For achieving climate protection targets in the transport sector, the use of alternative drive systems and alternative fuels are potential options in addition to traffic avoidance and modal shift. This study analyzes and compares various technology options for passenger cars as well as light and heavy-duty vehicles. The assessment covers the entire life cycle of the vehicles and also analyzes othe...read more

Climate | Energy

Tipping points and cascading tipping dynamics in the climate system

This factsheet summarizes the results and content of the background paper on the project "Tipping points and cascading tipping dynamics in the climate system - findings, risks and relevance for climate and security policy". It thus offers a compact overview of all relevant aspects of tipping elements, tipping points and possible cascading effects that need to be taken into account when discussing...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental research and governance in the digital age

Results of a horizon scanning for the environment department in tomorrow’s society

Digitalisation is profoundly changing our society and therefore also the way in which the environment is researched and governance is carried out. E-government is intended to make administration more efficient and bring it closer to citizens, while new ideas are constantly being implemented in environmental research, such as the CO2 calculator, apps for sustainable consumption or big data-supporte...read more

Climate | Energy, Air

Cost allocation and incentive mechanisms for environmental, climate protection and resource conservation along global supply chains - Analysis of the cotton, tin, natural rubber, coffee and iron ore supply chains

This report analyses the functioning, power structures and institutional framework of five global supply chains with high environmental and human rights risks: cotton for ready-made garments, tin for solder products, natural rubber for car tyres, coffee for consumption and iron ore for quality steel in the automotive industry. The report finds significant power imbalances in most of the supply cha...read more

Climate | Energy

Sustainability criteria for carbon dioxide removals

Requirements for sustainability criteria in the EU CRCF proposal and elements to be included in a delegated act

In November 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation for a Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). The principles laid out in the CRCF proposal of the European Commission and the proposed amendments by Council and European Parliament set minimum sustainability criteria. They are vague and require specification into executable criteria for certification. This rep...read more

Climate | Energy

Analysis of the role of Article 6 in Parties’ NDCs

This fact sheet surveys the role of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (PA) in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that Parties have submitted to the UNFCCC. The findings indicate that there is in general considerable openness towards Article 6, with the intention to buy ITMOs or A6.4ERs being much more limited than to sell such units. The distribution between sellers vs. buyers largely r...read more

Climate | Energy

Lessons Learned from the Kyoto Mechanisms for the Article 6.4 Mechanism

The report summarizes key lessons learned from the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) for the new Article 6.4 mechanism of the Paris Agreement. The report first provides an overview of the issuance and use of carbon credits under these mechanisms. This is followed by an assessment of what elements of the existing mechanisms could be transferred to the...read more

Climate | Energy

Adapting CDM methodologies for use under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

This study assesses whether existing international carbon market methodologies for determination of additionality and baselines and monitoring, particularly those from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), can be adjusted to transition to the Article 6.4 mechanism. CDM methodologies need to be modified to align with the more rigorous requirements of Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. Different o...read more