Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy

Options for the political phase of the Global Stocktake

The discussion paper explores several options for the political phase of the first global stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement, which will be concluded at the end of 2023. This phase could be organised by thematic area as defined by the GST or structured by sector. Organising the political phase by thematic area possibly facilitates high-level participation and visibility, while organising th...read more

Waste | Resources

Transboundary waste shipments and the new plastic inputs

Against the background of the new entries for plastic waste, as implemented into EU-law since 1.1.2021, this implementation guide is aimed at all companies or institutions that deal with plastic waste on a crossborder basis. In particular, this includes waste producers, waste handlers such as sorters and recyclers, transporters and enforcement and control authorities. It is an aid to the correct c...read more

Waste | Resources

Interpretation of the new entries for plastic waste in transboundary waste shipments

Executive summary

This report contains information that contributes to the description of plastic waste qualities in transboundary waste shipment. These support the interpretation of the new entries for plastic waste under the Basel Convention, implemented into EU-law since 1.1.2021.The technical foundations for the description of plastic waste qualities as well as relevant specifications, standards and regulations...read more

Climate | Energy

Barriers to mitigating emissions from agriculture

Analysis of mitigation options, related barriers and recommendations for action

On the basis of a literature review, this paper outlines the main mitigation options for agricultural activities and the broader food system on the supply and the demand side. Economic, policy/legal barriers, technical barriers, socio-cultural barriers, institutional barriers as well as biophysical or environmental barriers hinder the implementation of these options. The identified barriers are cl...read more

Chemicals, Water

P-Ident2 – Persistence Assessment in Surface Waters

addressing uncertainties in OECD 309 and OECD 308 studies

Plant protection products, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, biocides and other chemicals can reach surface waters during their life cycles, by direct or diffuse entry routes or because they are in completely removed during waste water treatment. These chemicals may have harmful consequences for environmental organisms and also constitute a risk for raw water contamination for drinking water p...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Sustainability Policy – Key to Stability, Security and Resilience

Lessons for Sustainability Policy

The following text elaborates on the necessities of a future sustainability and climate protection policy which goes beyond solution-finding due to the current crisis in Ukraine. In a first step, the interrelationships of the Ukraine crisis and global and national sustainability policies are analysed. Policy recommendations are developed on basis of the analysis in a second step. These recommendat...read more

Chemicals, Waste | Resources

The upcoming European Soil Health Law – chances and challenges for an effective soil protection

The European Soil Strategy for 2030 by the European Commission has set the foundations for an overarching approach to the protection of soils in Europe. In this scientific opinion paper, the German Environment Agency (UBA) lays down its key recommendations for the upcoming Soil Health Law. Feedback on legislative options is provided and experience gained in Germany in the past years on soil protec...read more

Chemicals

Further development of screening tests for the evaluation of potential PBT substances

Assessing the persistency of chemicals in general involves a stepwise approach. This includes cost effective and easy to conduct screening tests, that may lead to a need for more complex, lengthy and expensive tests which try to simulate conditions being more representative for the environmental compartments water, sediment and soil. The former tests lead to conclusions about the substance’s degra...read more