Starting 1 January 2019 every household has the opportunity to drive the transformation of the energy system. The new guarantees of regional origin register makes it possible to issue guarantees of origin for electricity produced from renewable sources of energy. End customers will be able to verify that their electricity is produced in their region, for example by the nearby wind turbine. read more
Disposal of packaging to become greener
Producers subject to mandatory registration must be registered in LUCID packaging registry starting 1 January 2019 read more
Environmental impact of software is now measurable
Software has a significant impact on the resource efficiency of IT hardware and on how long it is used. Programs which execute the same functions can have very different levels of energy consumption depending on how they are programmed. The German Environment Agency (UBA) has developed criteria to assess the environmental impact of software products. read more
Rodent control involves risks for man and the environment
The use of poisonous bait to control rats and mice can lead to an unintentional poisoning of pets and wild animals. In addition, most of the chemical substances used are very persistent in the environment and accumulate in organisms. A large number of risk mitigation measures must be taken to prevent these occurrences, for example the use of bait stations. read more
German North and Baltic Seas not in good condition
Many species of fish, bird and mammals and their habitats in the North Sea and Baltic Sea are exposed to heavy pollution, say the latest reports on the condition of both bodies of water which the federal government and the coastal federal states have drawn up to implement the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). read more
“To-go coffee" with the Blue Angel
The Blue Angel is now available for resource-saving reusable cup systems. The aim is to cut down on disposable cups and promote environmentally friendly reusable cups. read more
Climate change abroad also affects the German economy
Germany is a major player in international trade. It makes our economy vulnerable to the impact of climate change in other regions of the world. The German Environment Agency (UBA) has completed a first-ever study of the climate risks for international trade relations. The study claims that the risks of climate change occurring abroad affect Germany's economy, too. read more
Higher quality plastics recycling is necessary
Now available in English: UBA's biannual "What Matters" magazine covers current topics in environmental protection. The first edition “Recycling” takes an in-depth look at the circular economy in Germany with a special focus on plastics. The magazine offers data and facts and discusses current problems and possible solutions in Germany’s circular economy. read more