Press | Umweltbundesamt

Mid-August marks the tenth anniversary of the flood of the century along the Elbe River, which caused enormous damage in summer 2002. The associated damages amounted to than eleven billion euros in Germany. The floods affected more than 370,000 people; 21 people died. So what has happened since then? Back in 2002, the means of public information were lacking. Many people were caught by surprise. T... read more

What will the annex to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau that provides a workplace for 100 staff look like? The answer lies in the decision taken on 7 August 2012 following a cross-sectoral competition for architects and engineers. A distinguished jury of architects, engineers and other experts headed by the Dortmund-based architect Prof. Eckhard Gerber voted unanimously for th... read more

A new study carried out on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has determined that the current electricity market, which is designed as “energy only“, is ideal for the transformation of the energy supply system and will ensure secure supply of electricity. Capacity markets, in contrast, do not need to be introduced at this time as they harbour great risk of inefficiency, in part because... read more

There is still too much algae growth in the Baltic Se. This can be quite detrimental to its water quality, which is all the more reason why the people in the Baltic Sea littoral states are prepared to pay for its protection. Respondents in a study said they would be willing to spend roughly four billion euros to improve the ecological condition of the Baltic Sea. According to a new study carried o... read more

The EU aims to drastically cut the power consumption of air conditioners. Inefficient units will be gradually withdrawn from the market as of 2013. At the same time, the EU is introducing an improved energy labelling system by which consumers will have a better idea of how much electricity their units consume. Jochen Flasbarth, President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), applauds the new EU... read more

Take one solar power system, add heat pump and make sure to insulate well. Voilá, you’ve got the ideal conditions for future-oriented, green building. The Vice-President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Dr. Thomas Holzmann, believes construction at this standard is part of the necessary transformation of the energy system. “In terms of construction quality and technical standard, we are sh... read more

REACH, the European chemicals regulation, has made a positive impact in its first five years. The enterprises concerned have registered and submitted critical information to the European Chemicals Agency on some 5,500 chemicals. This will make it possible to continue to restrict the use of substances of very high concern in the future. “This clearly owes to the European chemicals regulation REACH;... read more

“More wind and solar energy can support economic development in North Africa and the Middle East and also secure climate-neutral access to energy for its population,” explains Jochen Flasbarth, President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). He and Morocco’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Fouad Douiri, opened a two-day international conference on renewable energy in the Middle East and Nor... read more