Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Agriculture

Common Agricultural Policy reform must ensure mandatory and effective greening of Pillar 1

Statement of the Agriculture Commission at the German Federal Environment Agency (KLU)

A strengthening of environmental aspects is indispensable to the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2014-2020. The Agriculture Commission at the German Federal Environment Agency (KLU) is of the view that, in future, EU agricultural budget funding can only be justified if it is based on the principle of “public funds for public goods”. However, particularly in Pillar 1 of the CAP (...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Strengthening Public Participation in Environmental Matters in the Zupanija of Karlovac (Croatia)

Croatia ratified the Aarhus-Convention in the year 2007 and thus showed its commitment to public participation in environmental projects. The legislative implementation was finalized with the amendment of the Environmental Protection Act and the enactment of the special regulations on permit procedure, Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment. The first National imple...read more

Chemicals

Nanomaterials and REACH

Background Paper on the Position of German Competent Authorities

The present background paper reflects the position of the German federal authorities on the regulation of nanomaterials (NMs) under ⁠REACH⁠. It is intended as a basis for preparing decision-making routes for political processes responses to from outsiders (e.g. Bundestag deputies or NGOs). With respect to the imminent negotiations on the regulation of NMs under REACH in the EU it is...read more

Economy | Consumption

Policy Relevant Sustainability Research

Requirements Profiles for Research Funding Agencies, Researchers and Policymakers Regarding Improving and Ensuring Quality of Research - A Guide

“Sustainability Research” or “Sustainability Science” has become a common term, one found in the names of research programs, research institutions and specialist journals. But just like the term “sustainability” itself, “sustainability research” is not clearly defined. One finds included under it activities as diverse as, among others, investigating arctic ice cores for understanding climate chang...read more

Chemicals

Characterisation of leaching of biocidal active substances of main group 2 "preservatives" from different materials under weathering conditions

Materials that are used outdoors can be preserved by biocides to prevent disturbance by organisms, mainly colonisation by microorganisms. These applications may cause emissions of active substances into environmental compartments via leaching processes. The European Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC (BPD) requires an assessment of environmental risks caused by the use of biocidal products. This...read more

Climate | Energy

EU Emissions Trading: The Need for Cap Adjustment in Response to External Shocks and Unexpected Developments?

The effectiveness of an emissions trading system in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is mainly due to the magnitude of the specified emission cap. Assuming sufficient control, a quantitative emission target defined in such a way is quasi automatically achieved by the limited allocation of emission allowances. In functioning markets, this coincides with a somewhat higher allowance price a...read more