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Climate | Energy

How does emissions trading work?

Screenshot aus dem gezeichneten Kurzfilm: Zu sehen ist ein Kraftwerk, das Geld für Emissionsberechtigungen zahlt.

Why is there a trade in or with emissions? Who specifies the framework conditions and how does emissions trading actually work? An explanatory film gives short and concise answers to these questions and explains the contribution of emissions trading to climate protection.

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Expert group: New housing creation campaign must become greener

Baustelle mit Baukränen in der Innenstadt

The Commission for Sustainable Building (KNBau) at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has issued a plea to the federal government, the Länder governments and local authorities to establish greener standards in the campaign to create new housing.

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

So very eco: – Submissions for Federal Ecodesign Award 2019 wanted

Logo: eco Bundespreis ecodesign

The German Federal Ecodesign Award 2019 has been announced, and once again, businesses of all sizes and sectors, designers and students can enter their products or services in the contest for the highest national prize for ecodesign. Deadline for submission of entries is 8 April.

Climate | Energy

Electricity made regionally

Windpark, Rapsfeld und unbestellter Acker

Starting 1 January 2019 every household has the opportunity to drive the transformation of the energy system. The new guarantees of regional origin register makes it possible to issue guarantees of origin for electricity produced from renewable sources of energy. End customers will be able to verify that their electricity is produced in their region, for example by the nearby wind turbine.

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental impact of software is now measurable

Binärer Code auf einem Bildschirm.

Software has a significant impact on the resource efficiency of IT hardware and on how long it is used. Programs which execute the same functions can have very different levels of energy consumption depending on how they are programmed. The German Environment Agency (UBA) has developed criteria to assess the environmental impact of software products.

Chemicals

Rodent control involves risks for man and the environment

ein Rattenschatten an der Wand

The use of poisonous bait to control rats and mice can lead to an unintentional poisoning of pets and wild animals. In addition, most of the chemical substances used are very persistent in the environment and accumulate in organisms. A large number of risk mitigation measures must be taken to prevent these occurrences, for example the use of bait stations.

Soil | Land

UBA-Paper: The need for soil protection legislation at EU level

Golden paragraph mark surrounded by grey and white paragraph sign

The Position paper begins by discussing options on how to further develop EU soil protection law. Compared to the status-quo, strengthening the existing soil protection legislation at EU level would preserve transboundary ecosystem services of soils and also help to effectively implement the ‘land degradation neutrality’ objective.

Economy | Consumption

“To-go coffee" with the Blue Angel

zwei „Coffee to go“-Becher auf einem Tisch, daneben zwei Papiertütchen mit Zucker

The Blue Angel is now available for resource-saving reusable cup systems. The aim is to cut down on disposable cups and promote environmentally friendly reusable cups.

Waste | Resources

Higher quality plastics recycling is necessary

Das Wort Recycling vor schwarzem Hintergrund, darauf auch ausrangierte Kühlaggregate.

Now available in English: UBA's biannual "What Matters" magazine covers current topics in environmental protection. The first edition “Recycling” takes an in-depth look at the circular economy in Germany with a special focus on plastics. The magazine offers data and facts and discusses current problems and possible solutions in Germany’s circular economy.

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

International Mountain Day 2018: Sustainable Alps

A lake with mountains around it and blue sky.

December 11th is the designated International Mountain Day. The day was designated by the UN to show the important role of mountain regions for sustainable development. In line with this, UBA has published a background paper describing the Alpine region on its way to becoming a model region for green economy.

Short link: www.uba.de/t50en