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Economy | Consumption

Nominees selected for the German Ecodesign Award 2023

The jury posing in front of a building

Imaginative, ecological and forward-looking, the competition was fierce: Out of around 150 submissions considered at the jury meeting in the Metropolenhaus Berlin, 26 innovative projects made it to the final selection.

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Waste | Resources, Soil | Land, Water

CO2 storage must not hinder phase-out of fossil fuels

schematische Darstellung der Verpressung von CO2 in den Boden

In a new position paper, the German Environment Agency (UBA) advises testing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in waste management.

Climate | Energy, Waste | Resources, Soil | Land, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

OECD handbook reinforces environmental protection in raw material

Drohnenansicht eines kontaminierten, giftigen Wasserlaufs in Geamana, Rumänien

The new OECD Handbook on Environmental Due Diligence in Mineral Supply Chains is a milestone for environmental protection in global value chains. For the first time, a clear description is given of how companies can identify, assess and prioritise environmental issues at the beginning of their global supply chains and take measures to prevent, mitigate or find solutions to arising problems.

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Looking for ideas on living with climate change

A road sign „Bürgerbeteiligung“ (civic participation) and „Politikverdrossenheit“ (disenchantment with politics)

With today's start of "Climate Adaptation Week", the Federal Environment Ministry and the German Environment Agency are launching a three-week online consultation on climate adaptation issues.

Climate | Energy, Transport

European Mobility Week: Sustainable mobility saves energy

A banner reads: "European Mobility Week 16 to 22 September Mix and Move! - climate-friendly mobility."

Sustainable mobility saves energy – and in many different ways. As part of the European Mobility Week (EMW), which takes place from 16 to 22 September, municipalities together with local actors are demonstrating that being sustainably mobile can also save energy.

Climate | Energy, Chemicals

The World Chemicals Conference – Why we need it

The Welt im Reagenzglas  (The world in a test tube)

Chemicals are a major driver for global warming, biodiversity loss and pollution. Bold political action is urgently needed. The Fifth World Chemicals Conference (ICCM5) 25-29 September 2023 in Bonn/Germany is bound to set up a stronger policy framework for the sound management of chemicals at global level.

Chemicals, Water

Water resources must be better protected

Water splashing on someone's hands

Slow-to-degrade, mobile and partly toxic chemicals, so-called PMT/vPvM substances, can endanger our water resources over a long period of time. That is why the German Environment Agency – in line with the European chemicals regulation REACH – is calling for emissions of such substances into the environment to be minimised. The urgent need for action is shown by four new UBA studies.

Climate | Energy

Study on nature-based solutions for global climate protection

peatland

In a study for the German Environment Agency, a research team from Öko-Institut and Ecologic Institute has examined the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) for global climate action and international climate policy. The results show that their potential to mitigate emissions is probably overestimated in the literature. Nevertheless, NbS can bring various benefits and should be promoted actively.

Climate | Energy

Additional measures needed to achieve climate targets

Cars and trucks on a motorway

The German government's 2023 Projection Report, coordinated by the German Environment Agency (UBA), analyses current climate protection policy. The report shows that the achievement of the national climate targets by 2030 and 2045 is at risk without additional measures.

Chemicals, Soil | Land, Agriculture, Water

Wherever spraying takes place, streams are damaged

A stream between two fields

A new study commissioned by the German Environment Agency shows that pesticide contamination of small bodies of water is particularly high where many pesticides are used on surrounding fields. In 80 percent of the investigated streams in Germany's agricultural landscape, the pesticides measured exceeded the limits set for animals and plants.

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

European emissions trading undergoes comprehensive reform

EU flags

The European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) will be aligned with the European climate protection target of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. In May and June 2023, the legal acts entered into force. Now the European Commission, in agreement with the member states, must draw up a variety of rules to implement the reform.

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Transport

UBA study: This is how Germany can achieve its 2030 climate targets

Emissions from an industrial plant

Germany can still achieve its climate targets by 2030. This is the conclusion of a new study by the German Environment Agency (UBA). To do so, Germany would need, among other things, more rail traffic, a reform of the motor vehicle tax and restrictions on fossil-fuel heating. In addition, all emissions would have to be priced and charged to the polluter.

Short link: www.uba.de/t50en