Since 2024, manufacturers of certain single-use plastic products have been required to bear certain costs for waste disposal and the cleanup of public spaces. Such efforts were previously funded by the general public. The costs for manufacturers are calculated based on the quantity of their products placed on the market annually.
Urease and nitrification inhibitors are chemicals used in agriculture to increase plant nitrogen utilization of fertilizers and thereby reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrous oxide emissions. But their application comes with environmental and health risks. The German Environment Agency (UBA) therefore recommends improved regulation of these substances.
In the modern consumer society, household appliances are often quickly disposed of and replaced with newer and supposedly better products. One argument for this is the greater energy efficiency of the new appliance.
Heavy metals, plasticisers or the “forever chemicals” PFAS – there are many environmental pollutants that children and young people come into contact with. But how high is their exposure in reality? And what impact can it have on the health of young people?
The conference “PFAS in soil – forever pollution, forever concern?” focused on soil pollution caused by PFAS. Some 150 participants from science, public institutions, industry and environmental organisations attended the conference and 200 more joined via live stream to discuss the risks, in particular for human health. More international cooperation is needed to tackle this problem effectively.
Glaciers are impressive natural wonders and have a decisive influence on the stability of the planetary ecosystem. These ice masses play a central role in the global water cycle, as 70 per cent of the world's freshwater resources are tied up in glaciers.
Without freight transport shop shelves would be empty, and the economy would grind to a halt. But transporting goods and waste generates noise, air pollutants and greenhouse gases. To counter this the UBA in its vision for 2045 recommends to shift transports to trains and inland shipping while electrifying lorries and ships and avoiding goods transport altogether whenever possible.
Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany fell by 3.4 percent to 649 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024 compared to 2023, data published by the the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows.
UBA together with UNDP, UNEP, Future Earth, ISC, ITU and Kenya is championing the Coalition for Digital Environment Sustainability – CODES, which brings together science community, governmental institutions, UN Bodies, tech companies, and civil society.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) examined second-hand sales platforms as part of an EU-wide investigation by the European Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC).
Climate-neutral, sustainable, recyclable – companies like to advertise their products with these or similar environmental claims. However, not all claims are legally permissible.
The court has ruled in favour of UBA in its fight against misleading greenwashing. In its ruling of 20 February 2025, the Federal Court of Justice confirmed the decision of the lower court, the Dessau-Roßlau Regional Court. The court had imposed strict controls on general and comparative advertising. Information on offers for CO₂ offsetting must be meaninful and transparent.
