The use of mobile air purifiers alone is no substitute for adequate ventilation in schools. Mobile air purifiers merely circulate the air in the room and do not replace the necessary supply of outside air. However, there are cases where air purifiers can supplement ventilation in a meaningful way.
Stimulus packages amounting to billions of euros have been and are being launched worldwide to mitigate the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus crisis. The Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) consider these programmes an opportunity to set the course towards a more sustainable society by planning a resilient and viable economic recovery.
A resilient climate change forest, urban green as a cool oasis in the middle of a hot city, climate-friendly building materials made from natural resources, and a coaching programme to assist municipalities in adapting to climate change – these are the winners of this year’s Blauer Kompass award. The projects were honoured during an online conference on climate resilience.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) is urging the debate about climate change mitigation not to forget the protection of other resources and raw materials. The UBA study "RESCUE" recently showed for Germany that climate action and resource protection can not only be implemented simultaneously, but that they even support and strengthen each other.
After two years of intensive consultations, the Federal Environment Ministry has concluded the National Water Dialogue, which deals with the water management of the future. The virtual closing event will be attended today by Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and numerous experts from water management, administration and research.
To increase recycling of precious and minor metals, a German Environment Agency study concludes that dismantling and recycling obligations plus information obligations for WEEE and motors with neodymium magnets and end-of-life vehicle electronics may be appropriate. It also recommends consolidation workshops and adjustments to legislation regarding the long-term interim storage of minor metals.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) believes it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. A key element in this is a rapid reform of EU emissions trading.
The following reports are the result of the project “Advancing REACH”, which is funded within the research plan of the BMU. The project analyses various aspects of the REACH Regulation and its implementation and develops possible improvements, including possible amendments to the text of the Regulation and its annexes.
In 2018, Germany generated a total of 18.9 million tonnes of packaging waste. This is 0.7 per cent more than in 2017 and corresponds to an average of 227.5 kg of packaging waste per capita. Since 2010, packaging consumption has thus increased by 17.9 percent.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) has drafted some helpful guidance for the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in Germany (KMK) on proper airing practices in schools. The handbook reflects the UBA experts' recommendations on indoor air hygiene and how proper ventilation in schools can reduce the risk of infection with the novel coronavirus.
At an international conference on "Human Biomonitoring for science and chemical policy", Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and UBA President Dirk Messner spoke out in favour of expanding human biomonitoring at European level. This involves examining population groups for their exposure to environmental pollutants and other sources.
In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 goals for worldwide socially, ecologically and economically sustainable development (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs). The SDG 12 database shows which developments have taken place in Germany since then with regard to Goal 12 "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns". It currently comprises more than 120 activities.
