Press | Umweltbundesamt

There will be no “all clear” for the climate: global emissions of greenhouse gases have reached another new all-time high - never in the history of mankind has so much CO2 from fossil fuels been released into the atmosphere as in 2010. A major political effort will be needed at the UN Climate Conference in Durban if effective rules to curb emissions are to be agreed. The Kyoto Protocol, the only i... read more

Since November of this year the Swiss supermarkets chains COOP and Migros have been printing some of their customer flyers with inks free of mineral oil. “Switzerland is one step ahead of us in this regard”, said the President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Jochen Flasbarth. “It has been proven that technology now makes it possible to use mineral oil-free inks in newspaper printing.” read more

25 years ago, in November 1986, one of the biggest chemical accidents caused by man in the history of Europe unfolded. After a fire at the plants of the Swiss chemicals company Sandoz 20 tonnes of toxic red-coloured extinguishing foam was dumped into the Rhine. Massive dying of fish was the result; virtually the entire eel population was wiped out. In commemoration of the disaster, the Federal Min... read more

The Re-Source conference brings together experts and stakeholders from science, politics, public administration, industry and trade from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to continue their dialogue and close cooperation in the area of sustainable resource management. It aims to promote more rapid implementation of strategies and action programmes and to make gains in the sustainable use of natural... read more

Ms Katherina Reiche, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry, and President Jochen Flasbarth of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) have declared that buildings can be tapped for their enormous potential to boost energy efficiency. At the laying of the foundation stone for a new UBA office building in the Berlin district of Marienfelde, Ms Reiche said, “Buildings play a critical rol... read more

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has just published the free travel guide entitled Die Böden Deutschlands. The updated edition features excursion destinations and discovery tours in all of Germany’s 16 federal states. Highlights include nature and adventure trails that educate visitors about the importance of soils in the respective regions. “Take time with your family and friends to discover... read more

A number of amendments to the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) have boosted the quality standards for drinking water. The centre of attention has been drinking water pipes and systems in buildings which, as has been determined, may not impair the quality of drinking water. Starting this November the drinking water supply systems in commercially used buildings and apartment buildings must be test... read more

The popular research portal “Daten zur Umwelt“ has undergone a comprehensive revamp. The interested public will find answers to all the critical environmental questions such as ‘How clean is the air we breathe?’; ‘How polluted are Germany’s rivers and lakes?’; ‘Does transport still have the same environmental impact that it did 10 years ago?’ Background information about relevant laws and environm... read more