Umweltbundesamt
Climate protection in agriculture is complex: greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation to climate change, food security, biodiversity, land rights and land use conflicts all have to be considered together. In a research project, options and barriers for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture were analysed at the global level and for ten priority countries. 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
The quality of the drinking water in Germany is excellent. Its main source, groundwater, enjoys a high level of protection and should be as free as possible from chemical residues. read more
Issues related to the green economy have largely been considered separately from digitalisation in the past. A research project is now investigating the application areas and transformation potential of big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms for a green economy. read more
Under the current legal situation, pesticides are authorised in Germany even though scientific findings show that they are harmful to the environment. The German authorities are currently unable to effectively protect the environment from harmful pesticides. This should be re-regulated under European law. read more
The five-year average of nitrogen surplus of the total balance per hectare of utilized agricultural land has decreased by 30 % 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 9.7 % from 1999 to 2022.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
Between 1991 and 2022 the area of grassland in Germany decreased by around 11 %.The area of permanent grassland has almost remained at the same level in recent years.The loss of grassland was largely halted with the 2014 agricultural reform, 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 UBA’s motto, For our environment (“Für Mensch und Umwelt”), sums up our mission pretty well, we feel. In this video we give an insight into our work.
