Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals

Intermediate uses of petroleum and coal substances - a regulatory issue?

Environmental emission assessment of substances of very high concern from petroleum and coal fractions in intermediates

This study explores the intermediate uses of 53 petroleum and coal stream (PetCo) substances, focusing on 15 marker constituents with properties of concern such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reprotoxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and endocrine disruption. It investigates the potential for these constituents to transfer during intermediate use into the new substance or product and into th...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Setting a Standard for GHG-Neutrality

How to improve the new ISO on carbon neutral organizations and products

In late 2023, the International Standard Organization (ISO) published a new standard on carbon neutrality: ISO 14068-1. It provides terminology, principles and requirements for GHG-neutral organizations and products, agreed by international experts. However, it contains significant shortcomings as it allows GHG-neutrality claims to be made using  high fossil based GHG emissions and environment-dam...read more

Climate | Energy

Supply and demand in the ETS 2

Assessment of the new EU ETS for road transport, buildings and other sectors

The study looks at the functioning of the new emission trading system for road transport, buildings, and small installations (ETS 2) in the EU. It explains the rules governing the supply of allowances including the functioning of the market stability reserve (MSR) and the price containment mechanisms. Furthermore, it assesses the balance of supply and demand as well as auctioning revenues under di...read more

Chemicals, Health, Agriculture

Nanocarrier - Part I: Overview and categorization of nanocarriers

This report summarizes the current state of knowledge on nanocarriers based on a literature review of existing nanocarriers and those under development. Nanocarriers are considered as innovative materials ("advanced materials") which enable transport, protection and (targeted) release of active ingredients. The report presents a characterisation of the field of nanocarriers by identifying, describ...read more

Climate | Energy, Transport

Analysis of the environmental impacts of vehicles with alternative drivetrains or fuels on the way to greenhouse gas-neutral transport

For achieving climate protection targets in the transport sector, the use of alternative drive systems and alternative fuels are potential options in addition to traffic avoidance and modal shift. This study analyzes and compares various technology options for passenger cars as well as light and heavy-duty vehicles. The assessment covers the entire life cycle of the vehicles and also analyzes othe...read more

Climate | Energy

Tipping points and cascading tipping dynamics in the climate system

This factsheet summarizes the results and content of the background paper on the project "Tipping points and cascading tipping dynamics in the climate system - findings, risks and relevance for climate and security policy". It thus offers a compact overview of all relevant aspects of tipping elements, tipping points and possible cascading effects that need to be taken into account when discussing...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental research and governance in the digital age

Results of a horizon scanning for the environment department in tomorrow’s society

Digitalisation is profoundly changing our society and therefore also the way in which the environment is researched and governance is carried out. E-government is intended to make administration more efficient and bring it closer to citizens, while new ideas are constantly being implemented in environmental research, such as the CO2 calculator, apps for sustainable consumption or big data-supporte...read more

Climate | Energy, Air

Cost allocation and incentive mechanisms for environmental, climate protection and resource conservation along global supply chains - Analysis of the cotton, tin, natural rubber, coffee and iron ore supply chains

This report analyses the functioning, power structures and institutional framework of five global supply chains with high environmental and human rights risks: cotton for ready-made garments, tin for solder products, natural rubber for car tyres, coffee for consumption and iron ore for quality steel in the automotive industry. The report finds significant power imbalances in most of the supply cha...read more