Topics | Umweltbundesamt

Since studies began, the stomachs of 88 % to 97 % beached fulmars have been found to contain plastics.Around 49 % of beached fulmars on the North Sea coasts have more than 0.1 grammes of plastic in their stomachs.The target set by the OSPAR convention is to reduce this to a maximum of 10 %. However, it may take a long time to reach this target.Large quantities of plastic waste still end up in the... read more

To achieve the objectives for the protection of the marine environment, Germany has committed to comply with maximum concentrations of nitrogen at estuaries.On average for all rivers, these target concentrations are already met for the North Sea, but still exceeded for the Baltic Sea.Some of the North Sea and Baltic Sea tributaries still have very high concentrations.In order to fulfil the objecti... read more

A water exploitation index of 20 % or above indicates the threshold of water stress.Water stress means an increasing risk of environmental problems and economic difficulties.Since 2007 the water exploitation index has been below the critical level of 20 %.Germany is causing water exploitation in other parts of the world by importing goods. In some regions this can contribute to water stress. read more

In 2021 no water body of transitional or coastal waters in the North and Baltic Seas achieved good or very good status.According to the European Water Framework Directive, by 2015 and with a deadline extension to 2027 all waters should have achieved at least a good ecological status.The time must now be used to reach the ambitious targets by 2027 at the latest.This will require considerable additi... read more

In 2021 24.7 % of the lakes in Germany were in at least good ecological status or showed at least a good ecological potential.According to the Water Framework Directive the target was 100 % by 2015. Now there is a deadline extension until 2027.Germany is still far from achieving this target. The timeframe until 2027 must be used to achieve these ambitious goals. read more

In 2021 only around 8 % of German streams and rivers were in at least a good ecological status or had at least a good ecological potential.According to the European Water Framework Directive, by 2015 with a time extension to 2027 all rivers must have achieved at least a good ecological status or potential.The time up to 2027 must be used to reach these demanding targets.The measures taken to date... read more

The data on undissected low-traffic areas are used to describe the fragmentation of the landscape by transport routes.In 2015 undissected low-traffic areas accounted for 23.5 % of Germany’s total land area.The target of the Federal Government is to retain a proportion of 25.4 %. read more

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. read more