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Today and tomorrow, on World Environment Day, the German Environment Ministry (BMUV), together with the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), will be providing comprehensive information on the health risks and protective measures related to the climate crisis at the Environment Week event. read more

To protect the unique Antarctic flora and fauna, Germany is committed to a coherent and representative network of protected areas in the Antarctic. Thanks to a German-American initiative it has now been possible to expand this network. Seven islands at the north-eastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, the so-called “Danger Islands”, were declared a protected area. read more

Overall, 98 percent of official German bathing waters on lakes, rivers and coasts met the minimum requirements of the EU Bathing Water Directive. In addition, over 96 percent of bathing waters were again awarded with the top marks of ‘excellent’ and ‘good’. read more

The federal “Blue Compass” award is the highest state honour for projects that demonstrate exemplary preparedness and adaptation strategies to the consequences of the climate crisis. More than 300 applications were received for the current round of the competition – another record number of entries. read more

On May 14, 2024 at the IFAT trade fair in Munich, Bettina Hoffmann, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, honoured several local authorities for their commitment to better organic waste collection. read more

The German Environment Agency's (UBA) Environmental Monitor 2024 once again presents a mixed picture of the state of the environment in Germany. While there have been successes in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, many indicators show a clear need for action. read more

Heat pumps will play a key role in the future, greenhouse gas-neutral heating of buildings. Last year, every fourth new heating system in Germany was already a heat pump. Nevertheless, there are still many misconceptions and a lack of information about their potential use. read more

The UBA opened a new site in Cottbus on the 25th April 2024. Ten UBA employees will conduct research there on the decarbonisation of industry and transport. The newly founded department is there to exchange knowledge and network with local actors. The Federal Government supports the foundation of the new UBA site in Cottbus on the basis of the Coal Regions Structural Strengthening Act. read more

Over 50 years ago, the social-liberal coalition under chancellor Willy Brandt breathed new life into environmental protection. With the launch of the Federal Government’s first environmental programme and the appointment of the first German Environment Minister in 1971, environmental policy initially took root within the Federal Ministry. read more

The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act, passed on 15 May 2023, obliges manufacturers to bear the costs for the collection of their single-use plastic products when discarded as waste in streets or parks from 2024. The German Environment Agency is setting up the digital platform DIVID to manage and process the levies that companies must pay into the Single-Use Plastic Fund. read more