The steady growth in world population and the rising per capita consumption of energy and material goods demand a speedy change in the thinking of the private sector, the political forum and society as to how to handle natural resources, that is, with renewable and finite raw materials, water and soil. Climate protection along with protection of resources features on the agenda of international en... read more
In German: Bilder aus dem ewigen Eis
Seit Beginn seiner künstlerischen Laufbahn hat der bayerische Maler Gerhard Rießbeck eine Vorliebe für die karge Natur der Polargebiete. Zu Fuß und mit dem Kajak durchquerte er atemberaubende Landschaften, beispielsweise in Island, Norwegen und Grönland. Seine Erlebnisse fanden künstlerischen Ausdruck in zahlreichen, oft großformatigen Ölbildern, die nach Skizzen im Atelier entstanden. read more
Energy-efficient only, please!
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) will once again be an exhibitor at IFA Berlin 2009, the international trade show for consumer electronics, information and communications technology, and home appliances. From 4 - 9 September 2009, consumers can gather information at the UBA booth (Nr. 108 in Hall 2.2.a) about saving energy and achieve two goals at once: using energy efficiently to save money a... read more
UBA President praises sustainable tourism and urges continued moves forward
The Fahrtziel Natur, or "Destination Nature", Award 2009, was granted in Düsseldorf for the first time today. This prize, with a cash value of 25,000 euros in the form of a communications package, has gone to the Nationalpark- und Naturparkregion Bayerischer Wald (Bavarian Forest) for its Igelbusse/Bayernwald Ticket project. The award-winning project is exemplary in its cross-linkage and optimisat... read more
Jochen Flasbarth is new head of Federal Environment Agency
A new age is dawning at UBA as the certified economist Mr Jochen Flasbarth, 47, assumes the office of President of Germany’s largest national environmental authority on 1 September 2009. In early August the Federal Cabinet had unanimously appointed him as successor to Dr. Andreas Troge, who had asked to be retired at the end of July 2009 for health reasons. Flasbarth’s last post was as head of th... read more
Chemicals: Public’s reactions to substances of very high concern now welcome
It is now the public’s turn to comment, as the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has asked for comments on its proposals to declare certain substances as ones of very high concern. Member States have recommended strict regulation of 14 chemicals according to REACH on account of their harmful impact on environment and health. One additional suggestion comes from ECHA itself: environmental and consum... read more
Decreasing market share of ecologically advantageous beverage packaging
The share of reusable and ecologically advantageous one-way beverage packaging in 2007 continued its decline as compared to the previous year, taking a share of only 54.7%. The 2006 figure stood at 59.8%. The core reason for this decline is that one-way plastic packaging is squeezing reusable bottles and beverage cartons out of the market. The reusable beer bottle has been the only packaging to ho... read more
Emissions trading in the aviation sector
Although aviation emissions trading has not officially started, preliminary work is at full-speed. Only those air carriers who submit so-called monitoring plans for recording transport data and emissions of their aircraft to the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the Federal Environment Agency can expect to receive free allocation of certificates in future. read more
