Topics | Umweltbundesamt

Climate action in the agricultural sector is complex. It becomes even more complex when looking at the many different national, regional, climatic, cultural and political circumstances of agriculture around the world. Greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation, food security, biodiversity, land rights and land use conflicts must all be considered together. read more

When strong winds hit bare or only poorly covered soil, soil material is stirred up and transported, sometimes over long distances, through the open landscape. The result is the stealthy loss of fertile soil. Neighboring sites and ecosystems can be affected. Also, for people dangerous situations are possible, for example due to impaired visibility. read more

Urease and nitrification inhibitors are chemicals used in agriculture to increase plant nitrogen utilization of fertilizers and thereby reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrous oxide emissions. But their application comes with environmental and health risks. The German Environment Agency (UBA) therefore recommends improved regulation of these substances. read more

The incoming European Commission should continue an ambitious policy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution, protects biodiversity and distributes the burden fairly. This is the key message of a Scientific Opinion Paper by the German Environment Agency and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation for EU climate, environmental and biodiversity policy in the years ahead. read more

Up to date overview of the application of nanocarriers: Research report shows the chemical and structural diversity as well as the wide range of applications of these advanced materials in medicine, plant protection, food and other areas. read more

Between 1991 and 2024 the area of grassland in Germany decreased by around 12 %.The area of permanent grassland has almost remained at the same level in recent years.The loss of grassland was largely halted with the EU agricultural policy introduced in 2014, and the area of grassland has not fallen below the 2013 level since then. Effective steps are required to achieve this target. read more

The five-year average of nitrogen surplus of the total balance per hectare of utilized agricultural land has decreased by 34 % since 1992.The Federal Government aims to reduce the average nitrogen surplus of the total balance of the years 2028 to 2032 to 70 kilogrammes per hectare of agricultural land.If the trend of the last 10 years continues, the target will be reached. read more

According to the data of the German Federal Statistical Office, the share of area under organic farming of agricultural land increased from 2.9 % to 11.2 % from 1999 to 2023.The Federal Government aims to increase the proportion of organically cultivated areas in agricultural land to 30 % by 2030.At the growth rate of recent years, this aim is expected to be missed in 2030. read more