EU News – New UBA Publications, Statements and Events - No.: 1/2025 | Umweltbundesamt

Conference ‘PFAS in soil - forever pollution, forever concern?’

25-26 March 2025, in Berlin and online

PFAS⁠ have been used for decades and the substances are still being emitted into the environment. These so-called ‘forever chemicals’ are ubiquitously found in the environment - with soils being a major sink and source, respectively. Therefore, the focus of this event is on the extent of PFAS contamination of soils and groundwater. The aim of the conference is to deepen the understanding of the potential hazards for human health at contaminated sites and to discuss the challenges resulting from the (restricted) use of PFAS contaminated soils and groundwaters. Available solutions and management approaches from various countries and affected regions will be presented. In addition to communicating the latest scientific findings, the aim is also to discuss important political steps at the European level in order to reduce PFAS soil contamination or to develop management measures for contaminated soils.

The conference will provide an exchange platform for scientists, (political) decision-makers, representatives of authorities as well as experts dealing with PFAS emissions and contamination. We expect around 150 participants on the conference site in Berlin; the conference can also be followed via a livestream. The conference language is English.

We would particularly like to draw your attention to the 2nd day of the conference (26 March), which is explicitly aimed at political decision-makers. The focus will be on European exchange and the coordination of actions at EU level regarding the challenges with PFAS in soil.

We are looking forward to an exciting discussion.

Registration is possible via the following link: Conference PFAS in soil - forever pollution, forever concern?

Registration for in-person participation in Berlin is possible as long as places are still available. Registration for online participation closes on 20 March 2025.

Funding climate-friendly soil management Appropriate policy instruments and limits of market-based approaches

This report assesses how results-based and action-based funding approaches should be used to promote climate-friendly soil management in Europe to deliver climate mitigation and support the agriculture sector’s transition to a net-zero future. It identifies considerable potential but also significant challenges of promoting climate-friendly soil management measures with these funding approaches. Additionally, ten existing carbon crediting mechanisms related to climate-friendly soil management are analysed. The report concludes with recommendations on how funding approaches to promote different types of climate-friendly soil management measures should be used.

Identifying and supporting vulnerable households in light of rising fossil energy costs

Rising energy prices, poor energy performance of buildings and low incomes can leave households unable to meet their energy needs, adequately heat their homes or pay their energy bills. These households are referred to as energy poor or vulnerable households. However, a standardised definition and robust indicators of energy poverty are currently lacking in Germany. This study therefore addresses the concepts of energy poverty and vulnerability, presents definitions and indicators, and looks at policies and measures to support affected groups. The study emphasises that energy poverty should not be seen as part of general poverty, but as a distinct structural problem.

The study examines different instruments to support vulnerable households and also looks at good practice examples from other countries. Socially differentiated financing of efficiency and decarbonisation measures, similar to the French MaPrimeRénov' programme, could also help those households to invest that have so far hardly benefited from state funding programmes in Germany.

Comparison of environmental reporting requirements from the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) with selected environmental laws

This paper investigates synergies and challenges for companies to use collected information to meet their environmental obligations for the purposes of reporting under the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It presents the results of two cases studies from the German manufacturing industry. The case studies find that processes in place and data collected because of existing legal requirements can in part be leveraged for sustainability reporting. Environmental management systems and former sustainability reports also facilitate data collection for ESRS reporting. However, the extent to which information can be used depends on the topic. In the case studies gaps remain, for example, regarding biodiversity and microplastics and value chain information.

Together. Thinking ahead for the New European Bauhaus!

Interdisciplinary conference on the transformation of urban space, 20-21 May 2025, Berlin [in German]

How do we want to live in the future? How can we make urban spaces more liveable in the long term and design them together? Results and impulses from the research project ‘Rethinking the New European Bauhaus’ (AdNEB, https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/research-project-adneb-advancing-the-new-european).