Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Waste | Resources

Evaluation of the collection and recovery of selected waste streams for the further development of circular economy

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It was checked whether and how with selected waste streams - especially old tires and old textiles - resource conservation and environmental relief potentials can be realized through improved collection and recycling. Bulky waste, mattresses, furniture, carpets, artificial turf and diapers were also considered. Measures were derived to improve the prevention, preparation for reuse and recycling of...read more

Chemicals

Sind Stoffe persistenter als die Testsysteme glauben lassen?

Überprüfung der Testsysteme zur Persistenzbewertung am Beispiel der Hydrolyse

Influence of particles being present in aquatic environments on the hydrolytic degradation of organic substances

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Hydrolysis is an abiotic degradation process that influences the fate of many water-soluble substances in the environment. The ability of chemicals to undergo hydrolysis is currently tested in purified lab water in accordance with OECD guideline 111. It has been suggested that the addition of particles such as sediment or microplastic fibers i.e. may result in a change in the rate of hydrolysis. T...read more

Air, Health, Transport

Air Quality 2021

Preliminary Evaluation

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This evaluation of air quality in Germany in the year 2021 is based on preliminary data which has not yet been conclusively audited from the air monitoring networks of the federal states and the UBA, valid on 31th January 2022. Due to the comprehensive quality assurance within the monitoring networks, the final data will only be available in mid-2022. The currently available data allows for a gene...read more

Air, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters, Soil | Land

INI2021 – 8th Global Nitrogen Conference

Nitrogen and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

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Reaktiver Stickstoff gelangt aus unterschiedlichen, anthropogenen Quellen in die Umwelt und führt dort zu vielfältigen Risiken für Mensch, Ökosysteme und Klima. Die 8. Globale Stickstoff-Konferenz an der Schnittstelle zwischen Wissenschaft und Politik wurde vom 31.5.2021 bis 3.6.2021 gemeinsam von UBA und BMU als virtuelle Veranstaltung durchgeführt. Im Vordergrund der Beratungen standen neuste wi...read more

Chemicals, Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters, Soil | Land

Market analysis on import, quality and use in Germany of seeds treated in the European Union

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Treated seeds imported from the EU can be sown in Germany, even if they were treated with plant protection products that are not authorized in Germany. This possible deficit in legislation, not preestimated during the negotiations for the EU regulation, results in a gap in the current environmental risk assessment and risk mitigation of seed treatments. This market study examines the reasons for i...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental management systems and climate risks

Analysis of standards for environmental management systems with regard to the management of climate-related risks and TCFD. Opportunities for the further development of ISO 14001 and EMAS.

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Worldwide, about half a million sites of companies and other organisations have an environmental management system according to ISO 14001. Against this background, it was examined how in future a systematic management of climate-related risks can be promoted or even ensured with standards for environmental management systems. To this end, several options were examined, such as an adaptation of ISO...read more

Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Focus on the future: Meat of the future

Trend report for assessing the environmental impacts of plant-based meat substitutes, edible insects and in vitro meat

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Meat consumption has come under criticism in recent years. Meat substitutes are becoming increasingly popular in Germany and could be an alternative. In a study entitled "Meat of the Future", the UBA has now examined the effects of the three emerging meat alternatives - plant-based meat substitutes, edible insects and invitro meat - on the environment and health, and what role they could play in t...read more

Climate | Energy

Making the EU climate governance fit for net zero

An analysis of the current landscape of relevant EU climate policy processes and recommendations for alignment with the climate neutrality objective

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The paper “Making EU Governance Fit for Net Zero” analyses the current landscape of climate policy governance against eight core parameters at EU level and for Member States, and identifies a number of remaining weaknesses.  Improvements should address several key processes, such as updating of the NECPs in 2023-2024 and of national LTSs and the new progress and consistency assessments under the E...read more