Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 2/2023 | Umweltbundesamt

How e-commerce can become more climate-friendly

CO₂ from shopping online can be reduced considerably. One way is by avoiding returns. Source: Gorodenkoff / Adobe Stock

Whether online or in a brick-and-mortar shop, those who only buy what is really necessary and otherwise take pains to buy environmentally friendly products are the ones who save the most climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond this, the greatest potential for making e-commerce even more climate-friendly is found in shipping packaging, returns and logistics according to a study by the UBA. If all optimisation potential identified in these three areas were utilised, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by between 18 and 98 per cent for each online purchase. To achieve this, all involved need to do their part: policymakers, businesses, logistics companies and, naturally, the customers as well.

Returns: Returning goods not only results in additional CO₂ emissions from the return transport, but also adds to the total emissions of the manufacturing process when the returned goods are destroyed. One way to avoid this would be for retailers to provide better information about their products to avoid returns. By making adjustments to tax law, policymakers could encourage businesses to donate returned goods instead of destroying them.

Shipping packaging: Many products are already well protected in their product packaging. They can be shipped without additional shipping packaging, thereby using less packaging material. Reusable systems for shipping packaging should also be used more in future.

Logistics: 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions for last mile delivery could be saved by electrifying delivery vehicles and by introducing delivery concepts with intermediate storage (micro hubs) and delivery bicycles. Policymakers can do their part to promote this, such as by providing charging infrastructure and space for micro hubs. Companies that already offer last mile delivery services that are as environmentally friendly as possible can highlight their environmental commitment with the Blue Angel eco-label.

Energy use in Germany in 2022: more renewable energy instead of natural gas

In 2022, significantly more renewable energy was used in Germany than in previous years. Both with regard to the generation of electricity as well as heating, renewable energy contributed significantly to replacing the use of fossil fuels, especially natural gas. This is shown by initial data from the Working Group on Renewable Energy Statistics (AGEE-Stat). read more (in German)

IPCC Synthesis Report makes the pressure to act for 1.5 °C even clearer

According to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), extreme weather events will become much more frequent as climate change intensifies. Global greenhouse gas emissions must be cut in half by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 °C. There is no shortage of solutions for this, but the current measures are not enough. Drastic measures are needed immediately. read more (in German)

Cool buildings in summer – here’s how

The next heat wave is sure to come: Climate change will lead to excessive heat in indoor spaces more and more often. Sun protection elements, façade insulation and other measures can greatly limit this effect. But people can also help to keep rooms cool by ventilating thoroughly at night or by switching off electrical appliances. read more (in German)

Phasing out coal as an opportunity for greenhouse gas-neutral heating grids

In future, heating networks will need to supply buildings in a way that is greenhouse gas-neutral. Today, energy often still comes from combined heat and power plants run using fosil fuels. For many heating grids, the phasing-out of coal means that the most important source of heat at present will no longer be available. A “Renewable Heat Infrastructure Act” could be a vital first step and provide planning security. read more (in German)

PFAS need to be restricted throughout the EU

Together with authorities from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the UBA has submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for the EU-wide restriction of PFASs (perfluoroalkylated substances). This has now been published. In future, the production, use and marketing of all PFASs are to be restricted – with some exceptions. read more (in German)

English-language information: ECHA website

EU restricts the use of C9-C14 PFCAs

In the EU, the use of perfluorinated carboxylic acids with 9-14 carbon atoms (C9-C14 PFCA) will be restricted starting in 2023. The substances hardly degrade in nature and accumulate organisms. Some of the substances also have negative effects on humans. The restriction proposal was originally put forward by the German Environment Agency in cooperation with Sweden. read more (in German)

Bisphenol F and Bisphenol AF: ECHA confirms hormonal effect

The EU Member States Committee (MSC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has confirmed the endocrine-disrupting effects of bisphenol F, bisphenol AF and the salts of bisphenol AF on environmental organisms. Member States unanimously adopted a resolution requiring both bisphenols to meet the WHO/IPCS criteria for endocrine disruptors in the environment. read more (in German)

The path to sustainable urban mobility

For a successful mobility transformation in cities, individual measures such as the expansion of public transport and bicycle infrastructure or the reduction of parking spaces must be combined in clearly aligned roadmaps. As long as measures are only considered and implemented individually, they will only be able to make a limited contribution to sustainable urban mobility. This is shown by studies on a model city. read more (in German)

Artificial intelligence conserves raw materials and CO₂ during window construction

Colours and decors of vinyl window profiles are mostly created using decorative foils (lamination). Error-prone manual application leads to large amounts of waste. A project of the Environmental Innovation Programme, the industry’s first plant using fully automatic lamination of geometrically complex PVC profiles, showed that artificial intelligence can contribute significantly to the conservation of resources. read more (in German)

Controlled and environmentally friendly dismantling of wind turbines

The dismantling of wind turbines in Germany is proceeding in different ways. This could result in risks to humans and the environment. In addition, uncertainty can make the dismantling work more expensive. A study conducted for the German Environment Agency therefore proposes the harmonisation of legal requirements, the examination of provisions and information obligations for manufacturers. read more (in German)

Campaign launched for the disposal of old batteries

Only about 48 per cent of used-up batteries in households are returned properly in Germany. Batteries that are disposed of improperly – such as in residual waste – lead to large losses of raw materials and increase fire hazards. On International Battery Day, 18 February, a nationwide awareness campaign for battery take-back systems was launched. read more (in German)

Release of pollutants into the environment at a glance

At www.thru.de, you can find a detailed database on emissions and waste quantities disposed of by industrial enterprises in Germany, which they report on annually to the German Environment Agency. An overview of this database in its entirety is now available in a brochure, now updated for reporting years 2007 to 2021, which presents the data in a compact form. read more (in German)

New explanatory film on the state of Germany’s waters

The explanatory film illustrates the current state of our rivers, lakes and groundwater. Not only the main uses, loads and pollution, but also measures for improvement are explained. The explanatory film complements the published brochure and dashboard with the most up-to-date data, giving you the state of the waters in Germany. read more (in German)

Watercourse type of the year in 2023 is the low mountain range river

For the “Watercourse Type of the Year in 2023”, the German Environment Agency has selected the low mountain range river as the typical watercourse of our low mountain range landscapes with species-rich fauna and flora. Only a few of these rivers are still in a near-natural state, as the influx of nutrients and pollutants, straightening and bank stabilisation as well as transverse structures have been altering them for decades. read more (in German)

German Environment Agency supports Ukraine in water protection

Ukrainian and German experts have jointly developed a guideline for improving the condition of watercourses in Ukraine. This has now been finalised successfully despite the war that has been going on for a year. The guide focuses on efficient options for the restoration of streams and rivers, taking the Dnister in Ukraine as an example. read more (in German)