Public authorities

As Germany’s main environmental agency, we provide government employees with a full range of job related information and resources such as Web content, brochures, and conferences. We also offer concrete recommendations and guidelines on matters such as drinking water quality and indoor air quality. And if you’d like to see the government agency you work for aid the cause of environmental protection and use eco-friendly products and green electricity, then you should have a look at our helpful hints, as well as our specimen RFPs.

Press release on Climate | Energy

2015 greenhouse gas emissions indicate a slight decrease for second year in a row

Eine Solaranlage auf freien Feld, im Hintergrund drehen sich Windkrafträder

Germany recorded total emissions of 901.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents for 2015, which is 2.3 million tonnes (0.3%) less than in 2014 and 27.9% less than in 1990. This data is based on calculations which the German Environment Agency (UBA) has reported to the European Commission. The greatest reductions were achieved in the energy industries (11.8 million tonnes). read more

Press release on Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption and Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Pace of environmentally harmful subsidies phase-out continues to falter

Euro bank notes

Environmentally harmful subsidies in Germany continue to be in effect at an excessively high level and now total 57 billion euros, says a recent report by the German Environment Agency (UBA). More than 90 percent of these subsidies are a burden on the climate – and are therefore thwarting Germany's implementation of the Paris Agreement. read more

Press release on Chemicals and Water

Sandoz chemical spill, 30 years onward: Salmon have returned to the Rhine

Ein breiter, ruhiger Fluss. Rechts und links viel grüne Natur mit Bäumen.

The condition of Germany's rivers continues to improve. The Rhine and many other rivers have many more fish species than 30 years ago. Salmon – once virtually wiped out – are once again at home in German waters. Some stretches of the Danube have “good” to “very good” ecological status, rating best among all Germany’s rivers. There is still a need for action along the Weser and Ems rivers. read more

The Umweltbundesamt

For our environment