Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals

Analysis and Strategic Management of Nanoproducts with Regard to their Sustainability Potential

Nano-Sustainability Check

As part of the current debate on the opportunities and risks of nanotechnological applica-tions, the debate on possible contributions to sustainable development is becoming increas-ingly controversial. It should rather be conducted on a more objective level. This objectifica-tion, however, can only be achieved on a case-specific basis, performing – as quantitatively as possible – a risk-and-benefi...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

Energy Management Systems in Practice

ISO 50001: A Guide for Companies and Organisations

By 2020, Germany aims to reduce its primary energy consumption by 20 per cent on 2008, and by 50 per cent by 2050. It won’t be possible to achieve this goal without a significant increase in energy efficiency. The ISO 50001 standard, which was published in June 2011 and replaces the European EN 16001 standard, defines the first international standards for an energy management system. The preceding...read more

Chemicals

Fate and behaviour of TiO2 nanomaterials in the environment, influenced by their shape, size and surface area

The focus of this report is the determination, fate and behaviour of nanoscaled Titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the environment. Nanoscaled TiO2 is an industrial product being used in various applications such as sunscreens, coatings and paints which make a release into the environment likely. To be able to assess possible impacts of nanomaterials like TiO2 corresponding test procedures, here specifica...read more

Chemicals

Development of a Practical Guide for Determination of Conditions of Safe Use of Chemicals with the Aid of Scaling

Scaling in the context of ⁠REACH⁠ implies the application of simple mathematics to examine whether chemicals are used in a safe way, even when certain conditions of use deviate from the exposure scenario. Scaling offers downstream users the opportunity in selected cases to demonstrate at little cost that their specific conditions of use comply with an exposure scenario. - The Practic...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

Price Determinants of the European Carbon Market and Interactions with Energy Markets

This report explores the determinants of short run price movements in the carbon market and their interaction with energy markets, in particular with the electricity market. Focusing on Phase 2 of the EU ETS we conduct econometric time series analysis based on continental EU and UK market data. Our findings suggest that market fundamentals have a dominant effect on the EUA price, but that non-fund...read more

Climate | Energy, Air

Submission under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol 2012

National Inventory Report for the German Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 - 2010

As a Party to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC), since 1994 Germany has been obliged to prepare, publish and regularly update national emission inventories of greenhouse gases. In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol entered into force. As a result, for the first time ever the international community of nations is required to implement binding action objectives and instruments f...read more

Economy | Consumption

Environmental standards in the textile and shoe sector

A guideline on the basis of the BREFS - best available techniques reference documents of the EU

Today it is well known how to produce textiles and shoes in a manner that is as environmentally friendly as possible. This is also clear to consumers. They are becoming less and less willing to bear environmental risks – much in the way that they have already demonstrated with regard to inadequate social standards. According to the 2010 Environmental Awareness Study of the Federal Environment Agen...read more