Just how climate friendly is online shopping? And how can it be more environmentally friendly? In this newsletter you will find interesting results from studies on this topic. Our calculations show that more environmental protection also saves our society money. Other topics in this issue: What is the environmental balance of various means of transport? And how can communities reduce the use of biocides?
Wishing you an interesting read,
The Press Office of the German Environment Agency
Buying from shops or online: what’s better for the climate?
Online shopping can be more climate friendly compared to driving to the shop.
Source: Stanisic Vladimir / Fotolia.com
The online shopping trend continues – a problem for climate protection? A UBA study shows: not necessarily. What’s more important than whether we buy online or at shops is what we buy and how much. After all, up to three-quarter of greenhouse gas emission in a product’s life cycle are already generated during production. Trade and transport, on the other hand, only make up one to ten percent of the overall emissions. Another interesting result: having a product purchased online delivered to your home is better for the climate than driving several kilometres to a shop by car. The reason being that delivery vehicles are better utilised, routes planned efficiently and more and more electric vehicles are being used. German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner: "Whether we shop online or in actual shops is not that decisive for our climate footprint. The biggest levers for green shopping are long-lasting products that are manufactured in an environmentally friendly way. Ideally, these are available in the shop around the corner which I can easily reach by bike or on foot."
Nonetheless, much still needs to be done to make online buying more environmentally friendly. Shipping packages should be reduced as much as possible or reusable packaging used instead. Electric vehicles or cargo bikes could be used and more packstations could combine deliveries. As another UBA study shows, there’s still "room for improvement" with respect to product information: ecolabels such as the "Blue Angel" should be displayed in the product description and be included as an option in search and comparison functions. Information about the product’s life expectancy or whether it can be repaired would also be desirable. What consumers can do: avoid frequent returns when shopping online and if possible buy environmentally friendly and durable products. Buying used products or borrowing rarely used items and having defective items repaired is even better for the environment.
UBA will have two expert talks on logistics and shipping packages in the first half of 2021 to discuss solutions with the practicians.
Burning wood can produce substances which are harmful to both the climate and health. How to heat with as few emissions as possible. read more (in German)
Greenhouse gases, nitrogen emissions and other environmental pollution cause damage to human health and destroy ecosystems. They also lead to production losses, crop losses and damage to buildings and infrastructure. For many of these damages, there are established scientific methods to express them in monetary terms.
Germany emitted a total of 809.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2019. This is around 46 million tonnes or 5.4% less than in 2018, and 35.1% less compared to 1990, according to the results of calculations submitted by the German Environment Agency (UBA) to the European Commission.
Coronavirus: the significance of air pollution
Scientists do not believe transport through particulates to be relevant in the infectiousness of novel Coronavirus (SARS CoV-2). However, air quality is also a factor in the context of contracting COVID-19, as air pollutants make lung cells more susceptible to infectious particles such as bacteria and viruses. read more (in German)
CO2 footprints in daily traffic
People in major cities often produces less CO2 emissions during daily travel than people in the country. Almost exclusively using the car on a daily basis produces about five times more CO2 emissions than people using public transportation who have no driving license. Income is also a factor according to a UBA study which examined the CO2 footprint of mobility in the daily life of various groups in the population. read more (in German)
How environmentally friendly are cars, trains, ships, etc. in comparison to one another?
Road, rail, water and air traffic have different environmental impacts depending on the type of transport. But exactly how serious are they and how are they spread along the entire life of a vehicle, including providing the infrastructure and fuel? The UBA brochure “Umweltfreundlich mobil” ("Eco-friendly mobility!"), the result of a research project, investigates. read more (in German)
Fuel consumption: actual CO2 emissions are only decreasing slowly
The CO2 emissions of new cars on the road have only decreased slightly despite statutory provisions. For example, the actual CO2 emissions of new Euro 6 cars on average were only 8 percent lower than Euro 3 cars. These new study results are now taken into account in the German greenhouse gas inventory to reflect the share of cars in emissions more realistically. read more (in German)
The invisible costs of consumption
Manufacturing products has environmental impacts, such as producing air pollutants. The resulting costs, such as treating medical conditions, are not reflected in product prices. A "second price tag" could point out these invisible costs. A state-organised implementation, however, would mean more cost than benefit, as a UBA study shows. read more (in German)
German food consumption impacts the environment and climate abroad
Whether it’s coffee, chocolate, cheese or meat – producing our food requires resources, emits greenhouse gases and has a negative impact on the environment. A considerable part of the environmental damage of German food consumption takes place abroad. This is shown in the recent UBA study "Von der Welt auf den Teller" (From the world to the plate). read more (in German)
No critical environmental impacts from fuel dumping
Planes sometimes need to dump fuel for safety reasons when making emergency landings shortly after take-off. The results of a research project on this are now being published. The impacts fuel dumping has on humans and the environment are considered non-critical. However, there are recommendations how to further reduce possible impacts. read more (in German)
PBT concept requires adaptations
The concept for assessing persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances (PBT) needs to be revised: substances that are poorly soluble in water and substances which biodegrade extremely slowly, for example, are not adequately addressed. Furthermore, the identification of critical substances needs to be improved according to a research project for the UBA. read more (in German)
Attitude towards mobility determines the type of movement
A positive attitude, being within walking distance, urban density, environmental awareness and internet access in public spaces motivate people most to walk or bike. Poor safety and high availability of cars are the greatest obstacles. This is shown in a representative study in twelve German cities for the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)
Increasing recycling of building products
Half the raw material extraction and over 35 percent of all waste in the EU can be attributed to the building sector. In Germany alone, about 200 million tons of mineral construction waste is produced annually when constructing, remodelling, renovating or demolishing buildings. A UBA research report shows how to better utilise the recycling potential. read more (in German)
Household biowaste: composting and fermentation are best
Biowaste from private households is typically composted or fermented before being used as fertiliser or soil conditioner. The ecobalance analysis of various alternatives for biowaste treatment commissioned by UBA shows there is currently no method better than composting and fermentation to utilise waste placed in the biowaste container. read more (in German)
Germany is set to launch the national emissions trading system for fuels on 1 January 2021. The trading system is intended to help reduce CO2 emissions in the heating and transport sectors. Until 2022, petrol, diesel, heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas will initially be part of the national emissions trading system.
The consequences of climate change pose economic risks for companies. A recent study by the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows that only about half of the DAX 30 companies report publicly on these risks. None of the 100 largest companies studied provides information on whether the corporate strategy is resilient to stronger climate change.
Climate change will affect the frequency, intensity and regional occurrence of extreme weather events and lead to gradual climatic changes. Although impacts appear locally at first, they spread beyond political borders due to the global physical and economic interconnectedness. A new UBA report provides an overview of the potential impact chains of global climate change on the German economy.
For ten years now, the Federal Ecodesign Award (Bundespreis Ecodesign) has shown how environmental and climate protection, innovation and excellent design can be combined. In its anniversary year, the jury of the highest state award for ecodesign is once again on the lookout for groundbreaking concepts, services and products.
Ecolabel "Blue Angel" for four new product groups
The Blue Angel label can now also be found on outdoor flooring made from recycled concrete and for interior door mounts (sashes) without expanding foam, for example. The criteria were updated for many existing product groups. Printing equipment, for example, now also needs to meet certain social criteria during production. And now criteria are to be established for three new product groups. read more (in German)
Revised cooling/air conditioning directive in force
The amended cooling/air conditioning directive of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment came into force on 1st December 2020. It promotes new stationary cooling and air conditioning equipment as well as automotive air conditioners in buses and rail cars which are very energy-efficient and exclusively use natural refrigerants, making them particularly climate-friendly. read more (in German)
Online CO2 calculator for events
Holding a climate-neutral event requires calculating or estimating CO2 emissions to then be able to compensate these. The German Environment Agency now offers a special CO2 calculator to determine the emissions of events free of charge online in just a few steps. read more (in German)
Environment at municipal level
Communities discussing pest control and preservation of structures
Oak processionary moths in the park, rats in the sewer, algae on façades: in municipal practice, handling pests is always a matter which can put human health or materials at risk. On 18.11.2020, community representatives discussed how to handle these, potentially entirely without biocides. read more (in German)
Communities can improve heavy rain safety measures through communication
Safety measures taken for heavy rain are the responsibility of communities and citizens. Communities can use targeted communication tools such as neighbourhood guidance or district workshops to motivate citizens to take safety measures for heavy rain (for example installing backflow traps, establishing aquifer inlet areas). This is shown by a study for the German Environment Agency. read more (in German)
Urban logistics: poll shows various challenges
Parcel services and deliveries to shopping centres and manufacturing present communities with many challenges related to noise control, air pollution control and climate protection. The German Environment Agency examined what these challenges are, which concepts cover them and which resources are needed. One problem, for example, is a lack of staff to access grants. read more (in German)
Environment International
Mining retention basins in Danube catchment area becoming safer
The Danube river catchment experienced two major catastrophes in the last 20 years due to dams failing at retention basis, which caused great ecological damage. As part of the advisory assistance program, UBA therefore supported the Danube border countries of Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Hungary in improving the safety of mining and industrial waste sedimentation basins. read more
Harmful substances found in sporting goods
The EU-LIFE project AskREACH, which the UBA is involved in, tested sporting goods for harmful substances. Eleven percent of products investigated contained concentrations of over 0.1 percent of so-called "substances of very high concern" (SVHC). SVHCs can for example be carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction or have serious effects to the environment. read more (in German)
Law and legislation
Federal government environmental information accessible
The Federal Environmental Information Act (UIG) governs access to environmental information and active dissemination of environmental information. A study shows: it has essentially proved to be successful. However, the law could be improved and particularly better implemented in a few areas. The study therefore focuses on federal agencies and private entities obligated to provide information. read more (in German)
What does the Battery Law amendment change?
The amended Battery Law (BattG) came into force 1st January 2021. The changes particularly affect battery manufacturers and the take-back system for used equipment batteries. This is also when the BattG-Melderegister will be transferred from the German Environment Agency (UBA) to the stiftung elektro-altgeräte register (stiftung ear). Battery manufacturers have one year to re-register. read more (in German)
UBA News
Dr. Wolfgang Scheremet the new head of the Central Office Division Z
Dr. Wolfgang Scheremet became head of the central office "Administrative Control, Service and Digitalisation" in January 2021. The central office handles service tasks at UBA related to human resources, finances or managing the office buildings. But it also houses the Environmental Library and citizens’ services, the first stop for enquiries to the UBA. read more (in German)
Dr. Harry Lehmann retired
The energy and resources expert and long-standing head of the division "Environmental Planning and Sustainability Strategies" at UBA retired on 1st January 2021. read more (in German)
Zeilengrün writing contest: winners selected!
Under the heading Zeilengrün (Green Line), the German Environment Agency in cooperation with the online magazine www.LizzyNet.de again launched a nationwide writing contest for adolescents and young adults in 2020. The search was for short stories or essays from budding authors between the ages of 12 and 26. The winners have now been selected. read more (in German)
Enhancing substitution of substances of concern with less hazardous alternatives will remain a key challenge for chemicals management in the coming years and is a central aim of REACH. This study analyses the support of substitution, which is the use of less hazardous alternatives for substances of concern, by instruments of the REACH regulation as for example during restriction and authorisation…
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…
The application and enforcement of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste (“WSR”) rise to special challenges for economic agents and competent authorities. The classification of waste in one of the annexes of the WSR, and therefore the crucial position for the applicable procedure, is rather complex. During the project the…
This report is a review of the existing literature which determine the current level of knowledge of the benefits and costs associated with REACH. The main focus of the review was on the identification of the gaps in the assessment of benefits. The current state of knowledge and any gaps in the benefit and cost data/information were broken down by each single component of REACH regulation, namely…
Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires increased global climate action, especially towards the production and use of synthetic e-fuels. This paper focuses on aviation and maritime transport and the role of green hydrogen for indirect electrification of industry sectors. Based on a sound analysis of existing multilateral cooperation the paper proposes four potential initiatives to…
Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement requires increased global climate action, especially towards the transition of the energy sector. Based on a sound analysis of existing multilateral cooperation this paper proposes five potential initiatives to increase climate ambition of the G20 countries in the respective policy field: an initiative to coordinate efforts for a green recovery, an…
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 identified, such as…
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…
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…
Climate change will affect the frequency, intensity and regional occurrence of extreme weather events and lead to gradual climatic changes. Although climate change impacts appear locally at first, they spread beyond political borders due to the global physical and economic interconnectedness. Depending on a country’s extent of global interdependence and interaction with vulnerable countries, it…
Urban areas cause over 70% of direct and indirect CO2-emissions worldwide. Carbon market mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement can offer new opportunities for the mobilisation of urban emission reduction measures and policies. This research project first examined the prevalence and experience of urban reduction projects within the framework of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)…
To date, the supply of units for the voluntary carbon market has been almost exclusively in the form of credits generated by climate protection projects elsewhere. This report analyses the merits and challenges of another possible source of supply for GHG compensation: allowances from emissions trading systems (ETSs). Yet some ETSs have market stability instruments (MSIs), such as the Market…
The European Green Deal, published by the European Commission in 2019, represents a new and ambitious approach to put environment and sustainability at the heart of European policy. Its ambitions are high, yet the planned measures might not be sufficient to actually meet them. The report analyzes the European Green Deal from the perspective of the German Environment Agency and places it in the…
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The share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption in Germany will be around 46 percent for the full year 2020 – a good four percentage points higher than the figure for the full year 2019 (42%). This is the result of a preliminary evaluation by the working group on renewable energy statistics (AGEE-Stat) at the German Environment Agency (UBA). The increase was due to an increase in electricity generation from renewable sources of about five per cent, but also in particular to a decrease in electricity consumption in the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
