Demographic change and its consequences could cause a deterioration of real estate values in many regions of Germany and thus lead to considerable losses of fortune. The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is calling upon the governments at federal, Länder and municipal levels to counteract the impact of demographic changes now with a view to mitigation. ”The most crucial measure to be taken is to sl... read more
Germany’s drinking water rates ’good’ to ‘very good’
The quality of the drinking water supplied by Germany’s more than 2,600 large central water utilities rates ‘good’ to ‘very good’. This is the conclusion reached in the second report by the Federal Ministry for Health (BMG) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) on the quality of water intended for human consumption, which reviewed the years 2005-2007. According to the report, more than 99 perce... read more
Emissions trading is a big plus for climate protection in Germany
Operators and facilities in Germany subject to emissions trading generated a total of 473 million tonnes of ozone-depleting carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2008, representing a reduction of 14 million tonnes of emissions on 2007 levels. Operators participating in emissions trading were in major part responsible for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. When taking into account the extended sc... read more
Climate protection: Greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 at their lowest since 1990
Compared to the previous year, total greenhouse gas emissions in Germany in 2008 were reduced by almost 12 million tonnes, which constitutes a decrease of around 1.2 percent. Total emissions amount to 945 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent and are therefore within the target corridor of the Kyoto Protocol, according to which Germany has to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions by an average 21... read more
Art in the age of global warming
Global warming is a fact, and as the climate changes so do humans’ living conditions- also in Germany. Although we are making efforts to reduce climate-damaging emissions of carbon dioxide, global warming has made its mark and impact on ecology, the economy, and culture. There are two art exhibitions soon to be held at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau that focus on these theme... read more
Chemical leasing unburdens environment
Businesses will soon not only be leading cars and computers but also chemicals. The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) makes this proposal in its ”Sustainable Chemicals” paper. The idea is simple: producers or importers no longer sell a chemical, say a solvent used in printed-circuit-board production, but instead provide the benefits obtained from the chemical, including its professional and ecolog... read more
Schools: Better learning in healthy air
The new edition of Leitfaden für die Innenraumhygiene in Schulgebäuden [Guidebook on indoor air hygiene in school buildings] has been published. The Indoor Air Hygiene Commission of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has reworked it and added new current topics. The 140-page guide offers tips and advice about particulate matter, carbon dioxide, as well as other chemical substances and acoustic p... read more
More environmentally friendly mobile air conditioning systems needed now
At this year’s 79th International Motor Show in Geneva, which runs from 5-15 March, a myriad of Minis, hybrid and electric cars are pointing towards tomorrow’s trend: fewer emissions and low fuel consumption. It seems the automotive industry has responded to customer demands. Yet a customer’s search for a passenger vehicle fitted with a green air- conditioning system will be in vain. All the same... read more