Climate | Energy | Page 11 | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy

Man-made climate change is a global challenge. The core task is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offset unavoidable emissions. Timely, sustainable infrastructure investments are key to climate action success. The focus is on reducing energy demand and a complete switch of the electricity and heat supply to renewable energies, taking into account interplay with other environmental challenges. The German Environment Agency supports this process with strategies, scenarios, measures and instruments as well as monitoring activities. It also implements individual instruments, such as emissions trading, guarantees of origin for green electricity or the Blue Angel ecolabel.

Climate commitments need to be more ambitious and tangible

Two fingers hold a drawn globe. In the background you can see a green meadow of flowers.

Parties to the Paris Agreement are updating their plans for climate action. Less than half of the countries analysed as part of a project funded by the German Environment Agency are increasing their ambition. Many are lacking a clear plan for implementation. This is the result of a new methodology, which analyses 20 recently submitted Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). read more

New study shows risks of climate change in Germany

If climate change continues unchecked, the risks from heat, drought and heavy rainfall throughout Germany will increase sharply in the future. read more

Making the EU Emissions Trading System fit for the future

Europaflaggen wehen im Wind vor einem Regierungsgebäude

Apart from aligning the cap with the new climate target for 2030, the upcoming EU ETS reform also includes a review of the market stability reserve (MSR). A research project commissioned by the UBA proposes to adjust central MSR parameters in order to strengthen its function to stabilize the market in the event of external shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic. read more

Trifluoroacetic acid from fluorinated refrigerants contaminates rainwater

A lot of room air conditioners hangig on the face of a building

Current rainwater measurements commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) show that TFA concentrations have risen sharply since the 1990s. read more

Strengthening environmental and climate protection in corporate reporting obligations

A recent study on behalf of the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows that even though German companies increasingly report on climate, water, resources and waste, significant gaps remain. Only about 20 percent disclose information on air pollution and biodiversity. Apparently, the identified gaps in corporate reporting are often due to insufficient legal provisions. read more

Fluorinated refrigerants in the EU: additional CO₂ savings potential of 100 million tonnes

Old refrigerators at a recycling facility

A new publication by the German Environment Agency (UBA) proposes an even stronger regulation of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) to protect the climate. HFCs are used as refrigerants in cooling and refrigerant systems which may escape to the environment during filling, operation and disposal. Ammonia, water and hydrocarbons are available as climate-friendly alternatives. read more

UBA information film on emissions trading for fuels in Germany

Szene aus dem Erklärfilm: Zeichnung eines Tanklasters als "Inverkehrbringer" und von Emissionszertifikaten

A national emissions trading scheme for heating oil, petrol and other fuels was launched in Germany on 1 January 2021, but how exactly does it work? Our short film explains it in just over 3 minutes. read more

Award for sustainable building UMWELT & BAUEN 2021: call for entries

Reihenhäuser mit Solaranlagen auf dem Dach

The UMWELT & BAUEN award recognises projects that are already realizing the idea of a new European Bauhaus in terms of sustainable building. The prize will be awarded for the second time in 2021, this time in four categories. All stakeholders in the building sector are eligible to apply by the 25 May 2021 deadline. read more