Public authorities

How can our built environment become healthier, more climate-friendly, and more resource-efficient? Recommendations for all levels of politics and administration — from the EU to local government — were developed in the EU Interreg project NonHazCity3 and are now presented with policy briefs and a short video. The focus: digital transparency of ingredients of building products and circularity.

For 10 years, the Blauer Kompass Award of the federal government has regularly given recognition to innovative projects for climate preparedness and for adapting to the impacts of climate change. The new round of the competition has started, and for the first time, it also includes a dedicated application category for schools. The application deadline is 20 March 2026.

The results of COP30 are disappointing and reflect the complex geopolitical situation that prevented substantial progress. The proposed roadmap for a global phase-out of coal, oil and gas failed due to a strong opposition. Despite immense differences, many smaller decisions and successes were achieved.

UBA invites to the final conference of the EU project “NiCE” on March 11–12, 2026, at the UBA headquarters in Dessau-Roßlau. Together with cities, regions, networks, NGOs, and initiatives, we want to discuss ways to promote sustainable consumption structures in city centers.

The landscape water balance is out of equilibrium: Straightened rivers, sealed soils, and drained peatlands retain too little water in the landscape. The consequences: drought, declining groundwater levels, and flooding. The solutions: retain water through adapted land management, give rivers more space, allow floodplains to flood, and manage land and soil in a climate-resilient way.

The majority of people in Germany continue to perceive both the environmental protection and climate change mitigation efforts as important. However, the topic continues to decline in relative perceived significance for the public

Technical interventions to mitigate the climate crisis are increasingly being discussed internationally. One frequently mentioned intervention is solar radiation modification (SRM). There are several approaches to this, all of which the UBA believes are highly risky and do not represent a practicable solution to the climate crisis. The UBA has now published its findings in a brochure.

Air pollution control measures are proving effective. In Germany, 2024 is the first year in which all limit values set by the European Air Quality Directive have been met. This is the seventh consecutive year that particulate matter levels have remained within the prescribed limits.

The transport of passengers and freight generates greenhouse gases (GHG) – not only through the actual transport activities, but also as a result of the processes at the individual locations or through services. On behalf of the UBA, a guideline has been produced which provides information for the standardised calculation and reporting of GHG emissions along transport chains.

The outcomes of the World Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29) have caused disappointment both in Baku and worldwide. Nevertheless, they still contribute to the international climate action process – an achievement that cannot be taken for granted given the current geopolitical situation.