Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and possible consequences for environmental policy

The COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly and fiercely changed social life around the world. Besides the diverse, in part drastic negative consequences, the crisis has also produced situations and pictures that seem utopian in “normal” times. Some of these impacts will soon fade away, others are very likely to continue in the longer term. The pandemic has thus changed the social context for environmental...read more

Waste | Resources

Chemical recycling

Chemical recycling is discussed as an alternative or addition to mechanical recycling of plastic waste, which is considered to have both the possibility of removing pollutants and the potential of using waste that is difficult to recycle or heavily contaminated. The techniques of chemical recycling are not yet established and its position within the circular economy has not yet been finally determ...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Social Well-Being Within Planetary Boundaries: the Precautionary Post-Growth Approach

Partial Report for the “Approaches to Resource Conservation in the Context of Post-Growth Concepts” project

What relevance does economic growth have for achieving environmental policy goals? The report analyzes the arguments of various positions in this discourse and formulates an ideal-type " precautionary post-growth position". It also presents causes of economic growth and identifies social areas whose function could depend on economic growth. Furthermore, reform proposals are discussed to reduce thi...read more

Chemicals

PBT - Quo vadis? Examination and further development of the PBT assessment approach for identification of environmental SVHC

The project “PBT - Quo vadis?” includes an examination of the concept currently valid under ⁠REACH⁠ for evaluating the PBT properties of chemicals from a scientific and regulatory point of view. A main focus of the examination was on chemicals which, despite their worrying properties, have not yet been covered by the PBT concept. Specific topics with further research need were identi...read more

Chemicals

Developing a Guidance Document for the testing of dissolution and dispersion stability of nanomaterials, and the use of the data for further environmental testing and assessment strategies

The report describes the scientific background and motivation to develop an OECD Guidance Document on the determination on dissolution and dispersion stability of nanomaterials in the environment. It presents the process and approach to develop the GD and summarizes its relevance for risk assessment and regulation of nanomaterials. The “OECD Guidance Document No. 318 for the testing of dissolution...read more

Transport

Transforming the transport sector for EVERYONE

How to achieve more socially just and environmentally friendly mobility

This position paper shows why the German transport system is in urgent need of reform, not only from an environmental but also from a societal point of view. Households with low incomes, women, children or elderly people are disproportionately affected by transport-related emissions, although they contribute comparatively little to the stress caused by transport. In addition, households with high...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

The Californian Emissions Trading System and Electricity Market

Influence of market structures and market regulation on the carbon market

Electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in many countries. Most emissions trading systems (ETS) therefore address emissions from electricity generation. The de-sign of an ETS and the structure and regulation of the electricity sector have a large impact on the environmental effectiveness and the quality of the carbon price signal. This report analyses the interacti...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

The European Emissions Trading System and the German and Polish Electricity Market

Influence of market structures and market regulation on the carbon market

Electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in many countries. Most emissions trading systems (ETS) therefore address emissions from electricity generation. The design of an ETS and the structure and regulation of the electricity sector have a large impact on the environmental effectiveness and the quality of the carbon price signal. This report analyses the interactio...read more