Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy

Assumptions on potentials for Carbon Dioxide Removals in the EU

A review of recent European Commission impact assessments

This report analyses and critically reviews assumptions on natural carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and storage potentials with a view to the objectives of the EU Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) and Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) legislation agreed until February 2024.Therefore, EU impact assessment reports that were published over a period of eight years were analysed a...read more

Waste | Resources

HP 14 classification of mirror entries in the List of Wastes – elaboration of proposals for further developing the German ‘Recommendations for the ecotoxicological characterization of wastes

Waste from so-called ‘mirror entries’ in the list of wastes must be categorised as ‘hazardous’ or ‘non-hazardous’ depending on its composition. Hazardous properties are determined on the basis of the concentrations of the waste constituents or on the basis of a test. For the hazard characteristic ‘HP 14’ (ecotoxic), there are currently no specific requirements at EU level for categorisation based...read more

Climate | Energy, Waste | Resources, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters, Digitalisation

Digitalisation and natural resources

Analysis of the resource intensity of the digital transformation in Germany

The ‘DigitalRessourcen’ research project analysed the resource intensity and greenhouse gas emissions of the digital transformation in Germany at both micro and macro level. The resource intensity of digital applications was calculated in ten case studies (micro level) using LCA methodology. At the macro level, raw material consumption (RMC), raw material input (RMI) and the carbon footprint of di...read more

Noise, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Detrimental effects of underwater noise

Development of the basics for a noise protection concept for Antarctica

Anthropogenic noise can molest, injure or even lead to the death of marine mammals. Therefore, activities in the Antarctic that lead to the emission of underwater noise are often categorised to have at least a minor or temporary impact on marine mammal species or their populations. Two panels of experts with varying backgrounds in behavioural response studies or auditory injury for a range of mari...read more

Air

Empirical Critical Loads of nitrogen for Europe

This brochure summarizes the revised empirical critical loads for N compared to 2011. 40 % of ecosystems react more sensitively to N than previously assumed. The ecosystems studied have been visualized to make them easier to understand. Two maps show the distribution of natural and semi-natural ecosystems on the one hand and the distribution of forest ecosystems in Europe and the neighboring count...read more

Climate | Energy

Factsheet: Modelling methods for assessing complex and social impacts of policies

Qualitative and quantitative system modelling approaches for policy advice

The Factsheet results from the research project „Machbarkeitsstudie: Modellierung von Anpassungsmaßnahmen: Akteure, Entscheidungen und Wirksamkeit“, introduces the topic of system modelling approaches and their suitability to assess impacts of policies in the field of climate adaptation and summarizes the main findings of the project (what are complex social systems how are system models helpful?...read more

Climate | Energy, Health, Noise

Informational concept on infrasound and its effects

The public often discusses infrasound as a threat to human health. This research project analysed, what the people know about infrasound. It developed a communication concept for different target groups, based on the scientific knowledge on risk communication. The goal was to provide appropriate information about infrasound and its possible health effects. The project results in this final report....read more

Climate | Energy, Air, Agriculture

Fostering win-win farming practices to reduce nitrogen pollution and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions

A case study from Germany

This paper examines the potential synergies between German nitrogen and green-house gas (GHG) mitigation policies in the agricultural sector. Agricultural practices aimed at reducing air (ammonia) and water (nitrates) pollution can have beneficial effects on GHG mitigation (nitrous oxide and methane) taking into consideration the nitrogen cycle and biogeochemical pathways. This study reviews the e...read more