Press | Umweltbundesamt

Nitrogen dioxide and particulates continue to impact air quality in Germany, according to interim measurement data for 2012 provided by the Länder and the Federal Environment Agency. Nitrogen dioxide pollution remains high. Median concentrations of particulates - measured in PM10 - were at the same level in Germany in 2012 as in 2008 and thus well below the levels of the previous three years. The... read more

Amphibians are the most endangered group of vertebrates worldwide. More than half of the frogs, toads and newts in Germany are also on the Red List of Threatened Species. The results of a current research project done on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) indicate that the application of pesticides in agriculture is in part responsible for the disappearance of amphibians. Tests conduct... read more

There is currently a need for better identification and assessment of potential hazards arising from nanomaterials for humans and their environment in the future. With this aim, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) have, at the suggestion of the Federal Environment Ministry, develop... read more

Recycled paper saves up to 60 per cent of energy and 70 per cent of water compared to primary fibre papers, and it produces less waste and emissions. But surely this means sacrificing printing quality? The Federal Environment Agency’s answer is ‘no’ in its new publication Papier. Wald und Klima schützen (German), which also clears up other misunderstandings on the topic. The publication is an appr... read more

Greenhouse gas emissions are dropping further despite the decommissioning of eight nuclear power plants in 2011. When compared with emissions from 2010, emissions in 2011 fell by 2.9 percent, mainly due to weather conditions. This amounts to 27 million tonnes less carbon dioxide equivalent. The greatest reductions were recorded in combustion plants for the generation of space heating and as a resu... read more

“Greenwashing is not enough!“ is the motto of this year’s Bundespreis Ecodesign competition which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Environment (BMU) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and relaunched on 14 January 2013 for the second time. Environmental compatibility and good design have long ceased to be a contradiction in terms. The sponsors of the competition hope to demonstrate th... read more

The Register of guarantees of origins for electricity from renewable energy sources (German: HKNR) at the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has started operations. Germany is thereby implementing a European requirement for more consumer protection in the electricity market. UBA confirms with the guarantees of origin that electricity has been sourced from renewable energies. Consumers who have opted... read more

Stricter regulations have come into effect on a number of chemicals, in accordance with the European REACH Regulation. The chemicals concerned include water- and oil-repellent substances as well as four perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCA). Because of their damaging effects on the environment, they have been classified as Substances of Very High Concern. PFCAs are also used in outdoor clothing.... read more