Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Due to the present circumstances, the deadline for the first-ever federal environmental building award called "UMWELT & BAUEN" has been extended. Contestants now have until 22 May 2020 to submit project entries.

UBA President Dirk Messner on the response to the coronavirus crisis: “Over the months to come, decisions will be taken that determine our lives in the 2020s.”

Protecting the environment and climate action are hot topics for young people in Germany. A clear majority of the young population is interested in politics, willing to take action and places their trust in democracy. They expect policy makers to do more for the climate and environment and to be mindful of social justice. They also perceive potential in each and every person to do more.

The new award for sustainable buildings, neighbourhoods and ecological innovation will be awarded in 2020 for the first time and aims to distinguish projects that are exemplary role models of sustainability, not only in the classic areas of building stock and new build, but also in five further categories. All stakeholders in the building sector are eligible to enter.

Packaging which is product at the same time? An app that helps users save resources? A new concept for environmentally friendly mobility in rural areas? Businesses, students and unorthodox thinkers are once again called upon to enter the contest with their innovative services, concepts and products by 6 April 2020.

Population expects more environmental and climate protection from all stakeholders

According to the IPCC, global warming must be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius in order to mitigate the risks. An UBA position paper outlines how the EU climate policy could be aligned with this goal. Already by 2020, the parties to the Paris Agreement are to submit their updated national climate contribution to limit global warming. Up to now, far less has been promised than would be necessary.

Climate protection and better air quality are important issues in cities in both Poland and Germany. In an advisory assistance project of the German Federal Environment Ministry and the UBA, the exchange of experiences and collaboration between municipalities in Germany and Poland as well as other key stakeholders was intensified for the transition to a low-emissions economy.

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.

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.