Dental bridges, car bodies, construction components for homes: with 3D printing, it is possible to make almost anything. The technology is conquering ever more branches of industry – and even ringing in a new era of manufacturing. The efficiency of raw materials, greenhouse gases, pollutants: a study by the UBA highlights the challenges and opportunities for the environment and health. read more
Environmental- and health impact of 3D printing
New EU Innovation Fund: how can it support climate protection?
A research report commissioned by the UBA has analysed a range of options for designing the EU Innovation Fund (IF), a financing instrument created under the EU Emissions Trading System to support demonstration projects for low-carbon innovation in the power sector and industry. From 2019 onwards, this fund will use revenues from auctioning emissions trading allowances for this purpose. read more
Blue Angel: New requirements for mobile phones and textiles
The catalogues of criteria of the Blue Angel for textiles and mobile phones has been overhauled and approved by the Environmental Label Jury. Changes include details and additional requirements of the working conditions at the manufacturing site. Manufacturers may now apply for the ecolabel on their products. read more
"Good design has nothing to hide"
"Greenwashing" can often disguise the negative impact of products and services on the environment. But the German Federal Ecodesign Award is different. For the seventh year in a row and until 09 April 2018, companies from all industries and of all sizes as well as designers and students can now submit their ecologically designed products and services. read more
Market shares for green products growing – yet CO2 emissions in consumer sector remain unchanged
Environmental labels can provide transparency and orientation read more
Rethinking it: Winners of the 6th German Ecodesign Award
The prizes of the 2017 contest go to repair services, mobile applications to initiatives to fight food waste, energy-saving design products, concepts for resource-efficient and recyclable fashion and a vision for the opportunities which living plant construction provides. read more
Guidance for climate-friendly investment
Capital investments which target the energy, transport and building sectors can help to limit the rise in Earth’s temperatures to less than 2 degrees. A new UBA study proposes the criteria by which public financial institutions like development banks should proceed and identifies which projects should no longer be funded. read more
Who has the best ecodesign in Germany?
On 11 September a panel jury of environmental and design experts made the nominations for this year's Bundespreis Ecodesign (German Ecodesign Award). Twenty submissions in the areas of architecture, energy, nutrition, home living, interior design, mobility and fashion can now hope to receive an award at an awards ceremony to be held 27 November. read more