Measures for a healthy environment are having an effect, but there is still a lot to do. This summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Monitor 2024, which assesses the state of the environment in Germany. Read more about it in this issue of the newsletter. Other topics include how heat pumps can provide efficient and climate-friendly heating in existing buildings, how the EU is taking action against greenwashing and how effective electrostatic dust separators are in reducing fine dust emissions from wood-burning stoves.
And last but not least; the countdown is on for our anniversary celebration on 15 June in Dessau. At over 50 information stands and hands-on activities for all ages, visitors can find out more about our work and engage with us directly.
We hope you find it an interesting read
The Press Office of the German Environment Agency
State of the environment: progress in air & climate, major deficits in water & road noise
River landscape
Source: Eugeny Moskvitin / Fotolia.com
What is the situation regarding environmental protection and environmentally related health protection in Germany? The German Environment Agency`’s Environmental Monitor 2024 once again gives a mixed assessment.
Air quality, for example, is currently looking good; the averaged index of the five most important air pollutants fell by over a third between 2005 and 2022. Greenhouse gas emissions have also recently seen their sharpest decline since 1990 and the expansion of renewable energies is continuing. Nevertheless, there is still a need for action in both areas in order to achieve the targets for the coming years.
There are particularly clear deficits in the area of water; here, all three indicators are showing red. For example, the limit value for nitrate in groundwater has been exceeded at around one in six measuring points every year since 2008, mainly due to high nutrient inputs from agriculture. A look at plastic waste in the North Sea is also sobering; large quantities of waste continue to end up in the oceans, where plastics only degrade very slowly. And the health of the population is still being adversely affected, for example by traffic noise.
You can find all the data and its evaluation in the new “Environmental Monitor 2024” brochure. Are you interested in the history of environmental protection over the last five decades? Then visit our anniversary page.
Heat pumps will play a key role in the future, greenhouse gas-neutral heating of buildings. Last year, every fourth new heating system in Germany was already a heat pump. Nevertheless, there are still many misconceptions and a lack of information about their potential use.
The Global Stocktake assesses the collective progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement every five years. The first Global Stocktake has revealed major gaps on the way to achieving international climate action goals but also pointed at a clear path ahead. On behalf of UBA, researchers analysed the contributions of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.
The federal “Blue Compass” award is the highest state honour for projects that demonstrate exemplary preparedness and adaptation strategies to the consequences of the climate crisis. More than 300 applications were received for the current round of the competition – another record number of entries.
Report by the Interministerial Working Group on Adaptation to Climate Change
Within the framework of the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS), the Federal government presents the 2023 (third) Monitoring Report on the German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change. This report describes the impacts of climate change on the basis of solid scientific data, at the same time as providing the public as well as decision-makers in all sectors of society with…
Solar radiation modification is highly controversial. The implementation of invasive geoengineering technologies would entail serious and largely unforeseeable ecological, and geopolitical risks. Considerable scientific disagreement exists around the extent of the risks, how they relate to increased risks of climate change, and whether uncertainties could be resolved. In expert workshops held in…
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Opportunities for local authorities – adding cooling planning to heating planning
In the coming years, local authorities in Germany will have to submit plans for their district heating networks. At the same time, the transformation of the public heating supply from its predominantly fossil basis to renewable energies, e.g. through the use of heat pumps, is underway. The German Environment Agency (UBA) is advising local authorities to incorporate sensible cooling planning alongside their heating planning. read more (in German)
Climate protection terms explained
When talking about climate protection, many terms are often confused. Products are labelled “climate neutral” or “greenhouse gas neutral”. “CCS” is equated with “negative emissions”. But what do these terms actually mean and how can they be categorised in terms of effective climate protection? Our explanatory film and this article should help you to keep track. read more (in German)
Health
Podcast on environmental influences on health
How healthy is our population? Dr Dietrich Plaß and Chiara Santjer explore this and similar questions in three episodes of the new UBA podcast. They talk about environmental influences and how they affect our health, and about epidemiological concepts such as the burden of disease. Take a breath and listen in now. read more (in German)
UMID 01/24: pollutants from rusting world war munitions in the sea
The journal UMID (in German with English-language abstracts) provides information on current environmental and health issues. Cover story of the current issue: leaking substances from rusting world war munitions. Other topics: new test method for formaldehyde emissions from wood-based materials, pesticides in the air, Germany’s contribution to PARC, health impacts of particulate matter, use of a chatbot in a radiological emergency. read more (in German)
AMELAG wastewater monitoring for epidemiological situation assessment
In the project “Wastewater monitoring for epidemiological situation assessment”, the German Environment Agency and the Robert Koch Institute are surveying the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens in wastewater. The interdisciplinary team directly implements the One Health concept; research data from the fields of environment and public health are processed, collated and made publicly available as soon as possible. read more (in German)
Together with the Federal Office for Chemicals and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the German Environment Agency (UBA) has been carrying out a REACH substance evaluation on the registered nanoforms of zinc oxide since 2017. The assessment of the data on the environmental behaviour and effects of the registered zinc oxide nanoforms is now concluded.
Contributions to upcoming development work under the new Global Framework for Chemicals
At the end of September 2023, the World Conference on Chemicals (ICCM5) decided on the follow-up framework for SAICM by adopting the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). The GFC aims to ensure the sustainable use of chemicals worldwide throughout their entire life cycle, including the products and waste produced from them. In this study, indicators were developed using the concept of sustainable…
Tailored Assessment Strategies for Environmental Protection
The project generated ecotoxicological data needed for the development of a tailored testing strategy to assess the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals (progestins and glucocorticoids). For this purpose, chronic fish tests, among others, were carried out in the laboratory according to a new test protocol currently undergoing OECD validation investigating dienogest and dexamethasone as test…
The subject of this project was the preparation of substance reports for five substances or substance groups relevant for building products emissions. For these substances, the toxicological data basis were compiled and evaluated, and EU-LCI values were proposed. The EU-LCI values allow the harmonisation of the health assessment of building products emissions throughout Europe. The EU-LCI Working…
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Transport
Climate protection in transport: prompt trend reversal necessary
The German Environment Agency has analysed how climate protection measures in the transport sector can help to achieve the targets set out in the Federal Climate Protection Act (KSG). Two scenarios show that the transport sector will exceed its emissions budget by 2030, even with ambitious measures. In the long term, however, these measures can significantly reduce emissions and exceed the reduction targets. read more (in German)
Rethinking mobility – technical brochure published
Sufficiency is derived from the Latin ‘sufficere’ meaning to suffice or be sufficient and, like efficiency and consistency, is one of the general sustainability strategies. In order to achieve the climate and environmental protection targets in the transport sector and for more liveable public spaces, sufficiency is indispensable. The specialist brochure “Mobilität neu denken“ (”Rethinking mobility”) presents key research findings. read more (in German)
Guide to greenhouse gas calculation in the transport sector
The transport of passengers and freight generates greenhouse gases (GHG) – not only through the actual transport activities, but also as a result of the processes at the individual locations or through services. On behalf of the UBA, a guideline has been produced which provides information for the standardised calculation and reporting of GHG emissions along transport chains. read more (in German)
Compatibility of Due Diligence laws and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will require large companies to create transparency about their environmental and social impacts, including those in the supply chain. New laws on corporate supply chain due diligence, such as the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) or the planned European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), oblige companies to address…
Background report on the revision of the Blue Angel award criteria for textiles (DE-UZ 154, January 2023 edition)
The existing award criteria for the Blue Angel eco-label for textiles (DE-UZ 154) have been reviewed as part of a revision and, in addition to expanding and further specifying the scope, have been specifically further developed in individual requirement areas. The revision was carried out as part of the research project "Development and revision of the Blue Angel reward criteria for textiles" (FKZ…
When public contracts are awarded, a significant contribution can be made to the protection of natural resources. However, sometimes there is uncertainty about fire protection requirements for products such as textiles, furniture, or mattresses in the public sector and, if applicable, how the required fire protection can be implemented in the most environmentally friendly way possible. This report…
The report for industry and permitting authorities provides an overview of the hazardous substances that can be released into the marine environment during the installation, operation and decommissioning of offshore wind turbines, including transformer stations, converter platforms and cables. The substances relevant to operation were identified and listed. These substances were assessed for their…
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New EU rules against greenwashing adopted
Until now, advertising claims about the environmental benefits of products, such as “eco”, “sustainable”, “climate-neutral” or “recyclable”, as well as environmental labelling, have barely been regulated. With a new directive amending competition and consumer law, the EU wants to combat widespread greenwashing in advertising and promote reliable environmental information. read more (in German)
New communication materials for sustainable consumption available
Climate protection needs good climate communication. With new free information materials (in German), the Competence Centre for Sustainable Consumption (KNK) wants to help get people interested in sustainable consumption and motivate them to take action. read more (in German)
97 % energy savings in ammonium metatungstate production
H.C. Starck Tungsten GmbH in Goslar produces high-performance powders of the metal tungsten and its compounds from recycled materials and ores, for example for machine and tool construction. With the help of the environmental innovation programme, a new high-pressure reverse osmosis process is now being used, which saves over 97 percent energy in the production of ammonium metatungstate. read more (in German)
The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act, passed on 15 May 2023, obliges manufacturers to bear the costs for the collection of their single-use plastic products when discarded as waste in streets or parks from 2024. The German Environment Agency is setting up the digital platform DIVID to manage and process the levies that companies must pay into the Single-Use Plastic Fund.
On May 14, 2024 at the IFAT trade fair in Munich, Bettina Hoffmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, honoured several local authorities for their commitment to better organic waste collection.
The research project aimed to assess the risk of per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) for humans and the environment. As part of the project, PFAS were identified in certain waste streams, quantified and evaluated against the background of the requirements of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Relevant waste streams were identified through a literature review…
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EU: packaging becomes more environmentally friendly
The draft EU packaging regulation is to contain new rules on packaging design and packaging disposal. In the view of the German Environment Agency, the agreement reached after extensive negotiations is another important step towards more environmentally friendly packaging. read more (in German)
The Hesse State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) investigated the emission of ultrafine particles (UFP) and the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators to reduce fine dust emissions from a wood-burning stove.
Vascular plants, mosses and lichens react sensitively to the exposure to air pollutants and pollution from ammonia (NH3). Critical concentration values for ammonia to protect vegetation (so-called critical levels) were defined for risk assessment in the Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). The project was used to review the current scientific status of those impact…
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Preliminary air quality data for 2023 published
The brochure on the preliminary evaluation of air quality in 2023 has been published. It contains an evaluation of the previous year’s data from all air monitoring stations in Germany. read more (in German)
Air pollutants: Germany fulfils international requirements
Emissions of air pollutants in Germany are continuing to fall. The constant decline is also due to the Federal Immission Control Act, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. read more (in German)
Overall, 98 percent of official German bathing waters on lakes, rivers and coasts met the minimum requirements of the EU Bathing Water Directive. In addition, over 96 percent of bathing waters were again awarded with the top marks of ‘excellent’ and ‘good’.
The ELONTA project aimed at understanding the relationships between landscape structure, source-sink dynamics and the risk of pesticide use for Non-Target Arthropods (NTAs). It also investigated the effectiveness of introducing two landscape-based mitigation measures: grassy field boundaries and unsprayed field margins. The project used a model NTA species, Bembidion lampros, a small, univoltine…
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Soil
KBU recommendations for nationwide soil biological monitoring
In March 2024, the Soil Protection Commission at the UBA (KBU) published the position paper “Bodenbiodiversität unverzichtbar für den Klimaschutz und die Bereitstellung natürlicher Ressourcen” (“Soil biodiversity indispensable for climate protection and the provision of natural resources”). The paper recommends concrete steps for the implementation of a nationwide soil biological monitoring. read more (in German)
Soil indicators symposium
On 17/18 April 2024, the German Environment Agency organised a symposium on soil indicators in the context of climate adaptation and soil protection in Dessau. Here you can find the results and presentations. read more (in German)
Sustainability / strategies / international issues
To protect the unique Antarctic flora and fauna, Germany is committed to a coherent and representative network of protected areas in the Antarctic. Thanks to a German-American initiative it has now been possible to expand this network. Seven islands at the north-eastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the so-called “Danger Islands”, were declared a protected area.
Project funding for associations: apply now for 2025
Until 31 July, environmental protection and nature conservation organisations can apply for project funding for 2025. read more (in German)
Digitalisation
UBA publishes mobile game on sustainability
Making everyday life more sustainable and inspiring friends and family – a new mobile game from the German Environment Agency shows how this can be achieved. In the game ‘Little Impacts’, players experience how the main character Leah infects those around her with her enthusiasm for sustainability. The free and ad-free game is now available for Android and iOS. read more (in German)
Over 50 years ago, the social-liberal coalition under chancellor Willy Brandt breathed new life into environmental protection. With the launch of the Federal Government’s first environmental programme and the appointment of the first German Environment Minister in 1971, environmental policy initially took root within the Federal Ministry.
The UBA opened a new site in Cottbus on the 25th April 2024. Ten UBA employees will conduct research there on the decarbonisation of industry and transport. The newly founded department is there to exchange knowledge and network with local actors. The Federal Government supports the foundation of the new UBA site in Cottbus on the basis of the Coal Regions Structural Strengthening Act.
Dr Erik Schmolz takes over as Head of UBA Division IV
Dr Erik Schmolz is the new Head of Division IV “Chemical Safety” at the German Environment Agency. He has been in charge of the department since December 2023 and succeeds Dr Jutta Klasen, who has retired. read more (in German)
Topping-out ceremony for the new wooden building of the Schauinsland monitoring station
The UBA’s air monitoring station on the Schauinsland mountain near Freiburg (Baden-Württemberg) is to be given a new wooden building. The building will house laboratories and measuring rooms as well as offices and functional rooms. The measuring field will be newly installed in the outdoor area. The station is used to observe and monitor the air within the framework of national and international clean air agreements read more (in German)
As recounted
250
250 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents were saved in 2023 through the use of renewable energies.
