The environmental impacts of electric power and heat generation heavily depend on the power or heat generation technology deployed, i.e. the energy source used to produce electricity or heat. Generally, the environmental costs per unit of electric power or heat (per kilowatt hour) are significantly lower for renewable energy sources than for fossil energy sources.
Both, passenger and freight transport cause significant direct and indirect environmental impacts, e.g. through the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants (exhaust and abrasion). In addition, transport causes noise and adverse impacts on nature and landscape, primarily due to landscape fragmentation and land sealing by the required infrastructure.
Environmental damages from nitrogen and phosphorus emissions arise along various impact pathways.
Water pollution and water scarcity are pressing problems in many regions of the world. Germany has traditionally focused more on water pollution, with water scarcity being perceived as virtually non-existent.
Greenhouse gas emissions not only contribute to global warming but also result in significant economic damages due to the impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure and human health.
Buildings cause significant direct and indirect environmental impacts throughout the life cycle, that is, during their construction, use, maintenance, demolition and disposal stages.
All human activity depends on the services provided by ecosystems, and the biodiversity these ecosystems are based on. Ecosystems and their services are directly or indirectly affected by virtually all environmental pressures including land use and land use change, climate change, pollution to water, air and soil, and water scarcity.
The emission of air pollutants leads to substantial impacts on human health and the environment, resulting in significant economic costs.
