Since 2024, manufacturers of single-use plastic products such as cigarette filters, drinks cups and film packaging have had to contribute to the costs of waste disposal in parks and streets. This involves companies paying an annual levy into a fund managed by the German Environment Agency.
As part of an in-house research project, UBA is working on the use and further development of an integrated assessment model (IAM) developed by the independent research institute IIASA. IAMs combine economic, social and ecological aspects for the development of climate action scenarios and are central to the IPCC process. The cooperation between UBA and IIASA is now official.
The outcomes of the World Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29) have caused disappointment both in Baku and worldwide. Nevertheless, they still contribute to the international climate action process – an achievement that cannot be taken for granted given the current geopolitical situation.
Making everyday life more sustainable and inspiring friends and family – the German Environment Agency’s (UBA) mobile game “Little Impacts” (in German) shows how this can be achieved. In five interactive chapters, players experience how the main character Leah and her cousin Mailin inspire the people around them to embrace sustainability.
Consumption of packaging in Germany fell by 675,000 tonnes to 19 million tonnes in 2022. This corresponds to a decrease of 3.4 per cent compared to the previous year.
The advisory board and jury of the German Ecodesign Award have selected ten winners from a record number of more than 400 submissions.
The National Soil Monitoring Centre at the German Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau was opened on 2 December. The aim of the new centre is to make as much of the data as possible collected in Germany on the condition of soils from the various monitoring programmes available from a central location and to make it usable for joint evaluations. The results can also be used at European level.
the CPC network of European consumer protection authorities, co-led by the German Environment Agency (UBA), is taking action against the company. In a joint letter, the consumer protection authorities call on Temu to cease its violations of European law as soon as possible. If the company does not cooperate, further measures – such as the imposition of fines – may follow.
On 11 November 2024, this year's UN Climate Change Conference COP29 will start in Baku (Azerbaijan). The main topics are climate finance and progress in implementing ambitious climate action. UBA experts are also part of the German delegation and are supporting the German government and the EU in the negotiations.
The “Urban-Rural-Plus” project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) examined how urban and rural areas can work together more effectively to combine the advantages of both and compensate for deficits, for example in the areas of nutrition, housing, trade, recycling management and local recreation.
At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2024, the International Academy Transformation for Environment and Sustainability (TES Academy) at UBA, the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management (CIPSEM) and the Global Diplomacy Lab showcased an innovative dialogue model for international collaboration on sustainability-related challenges.
Transport policy is an extremely controversial and emotional issue; many think the transport transition makes sense and is necessary, while others feel it's unrealistic or overwhelming. A study by the German Environment Agency (UBA) reveals the real social challenges involved and provides suggestions for political measures that could help ensure the transition benefits everyone.
