We have been aware of the negative aspects of the meat industry since well before the Coronavirus pandemic. Can tofu sausages, insect burgers or steaks produced in a lab solve environmental and health problems in the future? This is the subject of our focus article in our “UBA aktuell” Newsletter. Other health-related topics also feature in this issue, such as the results of a representative German Environmental Study on the health of children and young people, which unfortunately give cause for concern. Children and young people have excessively high concentrations of per- and polyfluorinated akyl substances (PFAS) in their blood – these are chemicals that are used, for example, in coffee cups, outdoor jackets and fire-extinguishing foams because they are grease, water and dirt repellent.
Wishing you an interesting read.
The Press Office of the German Environment Agency
Plant-based meat substitutes are good for the climate, the environment and your health
Meat substitute products aim to imitate the taste and texture of meat.
Source: Westend61 / Getty Images
Increasing meat consumption worldwide is causing significant problems. Livestock farming and deforestation to grow animal feed put a strain on the climate, antibiotics are being used excessively in stables and the conditions under which animals are kept amounts to animal cruelty. A significantly lower level of meat consumption compared to the current level in Germany would help protect the climate, the environment and animals and would be beneficial for general public health.
Meat substitutes are a good solution for those who find it difficult to reduce eating meat. A study by the German Environment Agency entitled “Meat of the Future” investigated the effects of meat substitutes from plants, insects and labs on the environment and on general public health and the role these substitutes could play in our future diets. The result: Overall, plant-based meat substitutes appear to perform the best. For example, the production of one kilogram of soy-based meat substitute emits only 2.8kg of greenhouse gases, whereas the production of beef emits more than ten times that amount. Products made from insects rank second from an environmental perspective. Meat substitutes produced in the lab are still in the research phase, so it is difficult to draw any definitive conclusions at this stage.
German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner: “Meat production is proven to be harmful to the environment and it contributes to global warming. Our study shows that meat substitutes could play a key role in helping people adopt more environmentally friendly and healthier diets. However, as long as the price of the food fails to reflect its negative impact on the environment, people will continue to favour cheap pork chops over soybean schnitzel for a long time to come. This is where we are calling upon policymakers to change these conditions.
What is the greenhouse effect and which gases are involved? How do man-made greenhouse gas emissions cause change in the earth’s atmosphere and what can still be done to limit global warming?
Waste is everywhere: in the Great Pacific garbage patch, as fine particular matter in the air, or as microplastics in the food chain. The group exhibition Zero Waste showcases international positions in contemporary art that point out the urgency to save resources, consume less, and live more sustainably. Zero Waste is on display at the MdBK Museum of fine arts in Leipzig from Jun 25 til Nov 8.
How to have a healthy and eco-friendly barbecue
From which sausages to choose to how to safely dispose of the ashes - tips for a more environmentally friendly barbecue. read more (in German)
Children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 17 in Germany have too many persistent chemicals from the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance group, or PFAS, in their blood. These are the findings of an evaluation of the representative German Environmental Survey for Children and Adolescents, GerES V.
The German Environment Agency has published the final data for 2019 on nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The data show that only 25 cities exceeded the annual mean NO2 limit value of 40 micrograms NO2 per cubic metre of air (µg/m³), compared to 57 cities in the previous year.
German 2020 Nitrate Report published
On 9 July the 2020 Nitrate Report was published. The report finds that: The level of nitrogen in groundwater has only slightly decreased since the last report in 2016. Currently, 26.7% of groundwater quality testing sites in the EU Nitrate Monitoring Network have average concentrations of over 50mg of nitrate per litre, thus failing to meet nitrate quality guidelines. read more (in German)
German Environmental Study on adult health
As part of the German Environmental Study on adult health (GerES VI), research teams are collecting the latest data on environmental pollution in the adult population throughout Germany for the UBA. The research teams are visiting participants at home and measuring pollutants in urine and blood samples, interviewing participants and examining drinking water, dust around the house and indoor air quality, among other things. read more (in German)
Video lectures on climate change and health
What impacts do climate change and environmental destruction have on public health? And what can health experts do to protect the environment and to help us adapt to the consequences of climate change? Experts cover this and much more in nine video lectures, which can now be listened to and read online. The lectures were sponsored by UBA and other organisations. read more (in German)
How environmentally friendly is climate-friendly consumption?
Heating demands, car and air travel and meat consumption influence an individual’s CO2 footprint considerably. But are these “big points” for both climate-friendly as well as environmentally friendly consumption? That is to say, does this consumption also take environmental aspects into account such as material and water consumption, land use or biodiversity? A new UBA study affirms this question for most cases. read more (in German)
ERGO: EU research project on hormonally active substances
The ERGO project (Endocrine Disruptor Guideline Optimization) aims to improve the identification and regulation of hormonally active substances (endocrine disruptors). In order to do so, the project will demonstrate the extent to which the effects of these substances in mammals can be extrapolated to non-mammals and vice versa. The studies are based on the thyroid hormone system. read more (in German)
Passive sampling safely detects chemicals in rivers
A study commissioned by the UBA concludes that so-called passive collectors are very useful for monitoring chemical levels in water. This sampling technique uses silicone strips and is often more effective than water samples normally carried out, as it can also detect very low concentrations of substances, short-term substance inputs, and unknown discharges into water bodies. read more (in German)
The German Environment Agency (UBA) reports that 853,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) was collected in Germany in 2018. It is an amount corresponding to a collection rate of 43.1 percent, placing Germany slightly below the EU collection target of 45 percent.
Sources of natural hazards, such as heavy rainfall, flooding, winter storms or lightning, can cause major accidents. Climate change can change the intensity, frequency and local distribution of such sources of hazards. Operators of installations in which large quantities of hazardous substances are present and the authorities responsible for them must therefore adapt their risk management.
The German Environment Agency met on 7 July 2020 in Dessau-Roßlau to engage in an exchange with representatives of the agricultural associations German Small Farmers' Association, the Organic Food Industry Federation, the German Farmers' Association, German Agricultural Society, and the “Land schafft Verbindung – Deutschland" farmers' group.
List of installations under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive
A list of all German installations that are subject to the EU Industrial Emissions Directive now allows you to obtain information online on exemptions from emission reduction requirements or data on emission monitoring. Examples of installations subject to the EU directive include e.g. coal-fired power plants and intensive livestock farming facilities. read more (in German)
Critical raw materials for the environment
In the next few decades, the increasing global demand for raw materials will be have to be largely met by mining, even though recycling is becoming increasingly important. This could have a major impact on the environment. In order to investigate this, 50 raw materials were evaluated for a UBA study, with more than half showing high potential to cause environmental damage. read more (in German)
Material and energy efficiency in the cement industry
Cement is an ingredient of concrete, one of the most important building materials. The production of cement is energy and raw material intensive. A project commissioned by the UBA shows that the cement industry can help preserve resources and protect the climate by using energy and materials efficiently, but that the potential for reducing CO2 emissions with traditional processes is limited. read more (in German)
UBA together with UNDP, UNEP, Future Earth, ISC, ITU and Kenya is championing the Coalition for Digital Environment Sustainability – CODES, which brings together science community, governmental institutions, UN Bodies, tech companies, and civil society.
On 1 July 2020, Germany assumed chairmanship of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) for a period of two years. Oversupply of nutrients, unexploded ordnance, marine litter, underwater noise pollution and climate change are the stresses on the marine ecosystems of the Baltic Sea on which Germany wants to focus during its tenure.
The "EcoDesign Circle" project coordinated by UBA is one of the finalists for the "Regiostars Awards", a competition of EU-funded projects that present inspiring approaches to regional development. The voting for the Audience Award is online on the competition website until 15 September.
This is the message of a virtual panel discussion hosted by OECD, UBA and UNEP in the context of current debates on the vulnerability of global value chains to crises and the legal regulation of human rights and environmental due diligence. The discussion focused on the need to better dovetail environmental protection and respect for human rights.
Which regulations would enable products to be used for longer?
Products must be used for longer to preserve resources. On behalf of the German Environment Agency, strategies were developed to enable products to be used for longer. These strategies include making manufacturer warranty statements mandatory in the EU, extending deadlines in warranty law or improving the conditions for repairs. read more (in German)
City states at the forefront of green procurement
The majority of German Federal States have state waste and public procurement laws as well as other legal regulations concerning the consideration of environmental aspects in public procurement. However, the level of obligation varies. Most notably, Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen have comprehensive regulations and guidelines. read more (in German)
New energy efficiency requirements for federal procurement
If German federal agencies purchase products with energy consumption labels under EU regulations, from now on they must choose products with the best energy efficiency rating available. Energy efficiency requirements were modified in the revised version of the General Administrative Regulation for the Procurement of Energy Efficient Products and Services (AVV-EnEff), which came into effect on 27/05/2020. read more (in German)
Consultation: How easily can packaging be recycled?
Manufacturers of certain types of packaging are required to participate in a “dual system” of waste collection, to ensure that packaging is collected, sorted and recycled. Since 2019, the fees have been calculated based on how easily the packaging can be recycled. The minimum standard for calculating recyclability has now been updated. Companies affected can make comments on the proposed changes until 5/8/2020. read more (in German)
Air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, nitrate in groundwater or organic farming - the "Data on the Environment" provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the environment, the polluters and starting points for measures. With the new indicator report, an individual report can now be compiled online from a total of 50 different environmental indicators and downloaded as a PDF.
As in recent years, the German Federal Government and the federal administration once again offset the entirety of its greenhouse gas emissions incurred through official travel in 2019. The Federal Government will acquire and then surrender emission reduction credits, known as CERs, on the basis of international climate action projects.
European priority measure: establishing leakage-proof vehicle registration systems
In 2020, the EU Commission is evaluating and subsequently revising the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive 2000/53/EC. When it comes to ELV recycling, the issue of unknown whereabouts of vehicles is the most crucial aspect to be solved. In a Scientific Opinion Paper, the German Environment Agency (UBA) outlines the negative impacts of the unknown whereabouts and presents recommendations to…
This publication provides an overview about data of the German PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register). For each pollutant, the number of reported facilities and their releases to air, water and land and their off-site transfer in waste water are clearly displayed. Data for industrial sectors of the current reporting year 2023 are summarized in tables while their developments since 2007 are…
The RESCUE project describes in six scenarios possible development paths towards a resource-efficient and greenhouse-gas (GHG) neutral Germany. For this, assumptions related to the roll-out of renewable energy technologies, the level of ambition for reaching GHG-neutrality, the magnitude of materials- and energy-efficiency, and the implementation of sustainable life-styles are varied. Until 2050…
How Germany can achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 and resulting raw materials demand
The RESCUE study describes in six scenarios possible development paths towards a resource-efficient and greenhouse-gas (GHG) neutral Germany until 2050. The GreenSupreme scenario achieves the reduction of emissions along a global 1.5 °C path towards GHG-neutrality by 2050, while at the same time substantially lowering Germany’s material footprint. This publication discusses possible synergies and…
The Covid 19 pandemic is causing considerable social and economic disruption worldwide. Short and midterm financial support measures for mitigating the acute consequences of the pandemic must be structured in a way, that they support the needed longterm changes towards a sustainable and climate-neutral society.
The UBA position paper proposes an action plan for Germany, that takes into account the…
An increasing number of people are changing their way of life to make a contribution to global climate protection. Only when greenhouse gases can no longer be avoided and reduced, offsetting is the last step for an environmental-friendly footprint. This guide summarises the most important aspects in a concise form to be taken into account in voluntary offsetting. The guide will also help you…
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the environmental risk assessment in product type 21 (PT21) in frame of a submission for product authorisation under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 in Germany.
Antifouling products need to be authorised in the EU according to the Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) before they are allowed to be placed on the market. An essential component here is the environmental risk assessment (ERA). In the ERA it is checked whether the use of an antifouling product causes acceptable risks to the environment. This document answers some frequently asked questions about…
Report on the 2nd NoCheRo Workshop (Brussels, 05th February 2020)
In February 2020, the European Commission and the German Environment Agency organized the 2. workshop on non-chemical alternatives in rodent control (NoCheRo). At the workshop, a draft guidance for testing efficacy and animal welfare of rodent break back/snap traps was presented to representatives from the EU Member States authorities on biocides, the European Commission, the scientific community…
The report describes activities within the project “Advanced materials - Thematic conferences: Assessment of needs to act on chemical safety” to provide discussion input on approaches to describe, cluster and prioritize advanced materials. The report presents a structuring of the field of advanced materials by screening existing definitions and classifications as well scientific activities related…
A guidance document for the construction product industry and standardization bodies for the design of modules C and D in EPD and PCR
The guideline supports the committees for the European standardization of construction products (Product TCs, Technical Committees) in establishing rules for Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) according to EN 15804. The guideline helps developing uniform specifications for the end of the life cycle of construction products (modules C and D according to the above-mentioned standard). The…
OekoRess II Working Report on environmental hazards and impacts, governance challenges and indicators
One aim of the project OekoRess II was to further develop evaluation methods for environmental hazard potentials of mining projects and raw materials developed as part of the predecessor project OekoRess I. The main task of the methodology development was to identify a governance indicator which reflects best a country’s mining sector governance with regard to environmental aspects. The study aims…
The project goal was to support the regulatory acceptance of data generated with the OECD Acute Fish Embryo Toxicity Test (TG 236) as alternative method to the OECD Acute Fish Toxicity Test (TG 203). TG 236 is an important contribution to animal welfare in chemical safety assessment in Europe but also worldwide. Results of the project are directly used within OECD project 2.54 on the Development…
The project "Environmental Raw Material Availability" (OekoRess I) developed methods for the assessment of environmental hazard potentials of mining. For this purpose, a mining site-related evaluation model was first developed and tested in an iterative process using 40 case studies. On this basis, a raw material-related evaluation model was derived and applied to five raw materials as examples…
To protect boat hulls from fouling with algae, mussels or barnacles, biocidal antifouling products are mostly used. In the EU, these products are subject to authorisation according to the Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR). Among other things, it is checked here whether the use of the product causes acceptable risks to the environment. There are around 206 000 pleasure crafts in Germany. Around 71%…
An assessment of environmental hazard potentials of raw materials from mining and recommendations for an ecological raw materials policy
Within the project OekoRess II, more than 50 mineral raw materials were evaluated with regard to the environmental hazard potential of mining using and further refining the methodology developed in the predecessor project OekoRess I.
The evaluation system consists of eight indicators on geological, technical and site-related environmental hazard potentials of mining, two supplementary indicators on…
The present study is a contribution to the linking discussion of emissions trading systems. Between 2012 and 2016, the comparability of monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of established emissions trading systems, carbon tax systems and pure monitoring systems was analysed, inter alia based on the California Cap-and-Trade Program, Target Management System / Korea ETS, Shanghai-ETS, Carbon…
The aim of the project “Impacts of climate change on the environmental criticality of Germany’s raw material demand” (KlimRess), was to assess how climate change potentially affects the environmental risks of mining and raw material supply chains. This final report summarizes the results of the project. The report offers insights on climate change impacts from five qualitative case studies…
This study – provided by the Ecologic Institute Berlin and the Öko-Institute Berlin in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Sebastian Oberthür - develops options for the German government to improve international soil governance in the short, medium and long term. The study first takes stock of existing international instruments and institutions with regard to soil protection which could currently be…
Excessive reactive nitrogen affects the air and groundwater quality, the good condition of land and marine ecosystems, as well as the climate and biodiversity. Different economic and consumer sectors release different nitrogen compounds, which are connected to one another via the nitrogen cycle. In order to raise public awareness to the complex problem situation and sensitivity for urgent…
In addition to CO2, aviation affects the climate through other emissions and atmospheric processes, such as the formation of ozone and contrail cirrus (non-CO2 effects). Although non-CO2 effects are responsible for about 2/3 of the climate impact of aviation, they are not yet considered in the EU ETS and under CORSIA.
This project focuses on the development of concepts for the integration of non…
Evaluation and traceability of critical raw materials and determination of quantitative environmental relief potentials
The report is part of the research project "Blue Angel - national ecolabel with international impact". The main objective of this project was to strengthen the use and cooperation of type-I eco-labels within the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN). Specifically, the project addressed two central methodological challenges faced by ecolabels worldwide. First, the integration of sustainability issues…
In recent years, numerous niche innovations have emerged in the food systems of European countries, which have the potential to contribute to the necessary, more sustainable shaping of food systems. These niche innovations are presented in this publication as well as classified and evaluated with regard to their potential contribution to the transformation of the food system. The findings from…
The report provides information on the occurrence of per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFASs) and alkylphenols (APs) in various product groups. For PFASs, the report analyses construction materials and industrial textiles as well as the content of short-chain APs (4tPP, 4tBP) in paints, coatings and adhesives. At the same time, the occurrence of APs in surface waters was investigated in a…
National Inventory Report for the German Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 – 2018
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. Pursuant to Decision 24/CP.19, all Parties listed in ANNEX I of the UNFCCC are required to prepare and submit annual National Inventory Reports (NIRs) containing detailed and complete information on…
Climate Change
997
As recounted
310,000
A rate of 95.7 percent for reuse and recovery of ELVs were calculated for the year 2018 in Germany.
Source: CC Vision
In Germany, some 560,000 end-of-life vehicles arose in 2018. Recycling of these vehicles complied with the European recycling and recovery targets, yet the whereabouts of around 310,000 vehicles are unknown. UBA therefore recommends the introduction of minimum requirements for vehicle registration systems in respect of deregistration of vehicles.
