Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

From quantum computing to the future of inner cities and a new world order

Results of the second Horizon Scanning cycle for the Environment Department published

In the second horizon scanning process of the environment department, the following ten emerging future topics have been identified and elaborated that could be of high environmental relevance:Quantum computingCryptocurrenciesTechnological innovations on the way to climate-friendly air transportNew regionalismResilience as the basis of a sustainable societyMobile workGrowing through crises: The EU...read more

Climate | Energy, Transport

Climate Impact of Aviation

Scientific knowledge, Developments and Measures

Aviation affects the climate. Combustion of kerosene fuel results in carbon dioxide (CO2), but also other climate-impacting substances whose effects are referred to as "non-CO2 climate effects". What are these substances and how strong are their effects? How strong would the climate impact of air traffic be in the future if flying continues to grow as hitherto? How can the impact of air traffic on...read more

Chemicals, Agriculture

Understanding of ‘negligible exposure’ in international science, policy and law, and qualification of the term in relation to the exposure of endocrine substances to the environment

To support the interpretation of 3.8.2 of Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009

The term “negligible exposure” to endocrine disruptors has been clarified in context of European plant protection product regulations. For this purpose, a research of scientific, policy and legal literature was performed. Definitions of “negligible exposure” were extracted from publications related to (chemical) substances in the environment. Findings were grouped into narrative, qualitative, and...read more

Chemicals, Water

Trifluoroacetate (TFA): Laying the foundations for effective mitigation

Spatial analysis of the input pathways into the water cycle

Trifluoroacetate (TFA) is a very persistent and highly mobile substance that can accumulate in certain environmental compartments. TFA cannot be removed using conventional water treatment methods. Although, according to current knowledge, the acute toxicity of TFA is low, inputs of TFA into water bodies should be avoided as far as possible.In this project Germany-wide TFA pollution and its sources...read more

Economy | Consumption, Air

Corporate sustainability reporting on environmental pollution

Potential benefits and challenges for environmental authorities to use information disclosed according to European Sustainability Reporting Standard E2

From 2025 onwards, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires large European companies to provide transparency on their impacts on people and the environment. So far, the role of these new reporting rules in the work of environmental authorities has not been systematically analysed and discussed. This study examines the potential benefits and challenges for environmental auth...read more

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Setting an ambitious EU climate target for the year 2040

Recommendations by the German Environment Agency

The European Climate Law mandates the European Commission to propose a 2040 emissions reduction target by early 2024. In light of the latest report from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, the German Environment Agency follows suit and recommends adhering to scientific advice, aiming for the most plausible climate ambition, and setting a domestic 2040 net greenhouse gas emiss...read more

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

What is the role of nuclear energy in achieving climate targets in global scenarios?

This factsheet analyses the role of nuclear energy in global climate scenarios. It shows, that a global tripling of nuclear capacity until 2050 is neither realistic nor is it needed to achieve climate targets according to the Paris agreement.The factsheet presents an analysis of nine global climate scenarios that achieve climate targets according to the Paris agreement as well as two non-target sc...read more

Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental Unit Cost Lists

A Methodological Comparative Analysis

Ziel dieses Berichtes ist der Vergleich unterschiedlicher Methodiken, die in Listen oder Datenbanken von Umweltkosten (environmental unit costs) verwendet werden. Diese werden u.A. für Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen und Umwelt- oder Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung genutzt. Die Analyse basiert auf einem Kernset von Listen und Datenbanken, das aus einer Sondierung des Umweltbundesamtes hervorging. Ergänzt...read more