Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy, Transport

A guide to reducing the impact of urban transport on the climate

There is no doubt that climate gas emissions must be drastically reduced and this applies to traffic in urban areas as well. The good news is that it could also provide an opportunity to enhance quality of life in towns and cities. The result could be a lively town, a pleasant atmosphere, fewer traffic jams, less noise and  more space for cyclists and pedestrians.read more

Chemicals, Health

Bisphenol A

An industrial chemical with adverse effects

Bisphenol A is found in many everyday products. The largest portion of manufactured bisphenol A is converted into stable plastics (polycarbonate and epoxy resins). Under certain conditions, the chemical can be released from consumer products – from can coatings, for instance – and enter the human body by way of food or through the skin, from thermal paper for example. In the human body the substan...read more

Climate | Energy

Copenhagen and beyond: reshuffling the cards

Discussion paper

Expectations set upon the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen were extremely high. This was because the COP 13 in Bali had set the COP 15 as the deadline for achieving a legally binding agreement to replace or extend the Kyoto Protocol. Additionally, the heads of states’ attendance as well as attention from the...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

Environmental and economic effects of the Copenhagen pledges and more ambitious emission reduction targets

Interim report

Global carbon dioxide emissions need to be reduced by at least 50 to 85 % in 2050 com-pared to 2000 levels to limit global surface temperature increase to 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels (IPCC 2007). As an intermediate greenhouse gas emission reduction target for industrialized countries in 2020 the IPCC (2007) confirmed a range of 25 % to 40 % com-pared to 1990, together with a substantial...read more

Chemicals

Technical Protocol: Transformation of Biocides in Liquid Manures

Within the current authorization procedure "TNsG for data requirements for active substances and biocidal products (2000)", biocides applied for disinfection purposes or insect control in animal houses are to be studied on ultimate biodegradability underanaerobic conditions. Due to the lack of an established simulation test in liquid manures, the biocidal guidance documents recommend a screening t...read more

Chemicals

Technical Protocol for Laboratory Tests of Transformation of Veterinary Medicinal Products and Biocides in Liquid Manures

Version 1.0

This technical protocol describes a laboratory test method to evaluate the transformation of chemicals in liquid bovine and pig manures under anaerobic conditions and is primarily designed for veterinary medicinal products (VMP) and biocides. The environmentally relevant entry routes into liquid manures occur via urine and feces of cattle and pigs in stable housings after excretion of VMP (as pare...read more

Climate | Energy

Submission under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol 2010

National Inventory Report for the German Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 - 2008

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