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No.: 2/2017Newsletter "UBA aktuell"

Dear reader, 

Germany has accomplished quite a bit when it comes to protecting the climate – something which unfortunately cannot be said about the transport sector. The sector is at a standstill, its 2016 emissions even 2 million tons higher than in 1990. So what is the remedy? A phase-out of environmentally harmful subsidies for the transport sector, which currently benefits from 28 billion euros in subsidies per year. Read more on the topic in this issue. 

Another problem is that the air in urban areas continues to be heavily polluted due to the excessive number of cars and vehicles. Particulates and nitrogen dioxide cause diseases and premature death. Find out in this newsletter how the selective ban on older diesel vehicles like the city of Stuttgart plans to impose are only the first step in solving this problem. 

We wish you interesting reading.

Yours sincerely,

Press Office at the German Environment Agency

Rising emissions in transport sector are compromising Germany’s climate goals

Viele Autos auf stark befahrender Straße in der Innenstadt
More diesel was consumed in 2016 and road freight transport grew by 2.8 per cent.
Source: Pavel Losevsky / Fotolia

In just a little less than four years’ time (by the end of 2020), Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions levels are supposed to be 40 per cent lower than in 1990. Emissions levels currently fall 12 per cent of that self-imposed objective. “If something doesn't happen soon in the transport sector, we will fail to reach our climate protection goals”, warns UBA’s President Maria Krautzberger. Instead of declining, transport sector emissions increased by 3.4 per cent last year and have gone two million tons over 1990 levels. 

The efficiency gains in vehicles are being diminished by the increasing number of vehicles on the roads. Road transport performance in 2016 grew by 2.8 percent compared to the previous year while environmentally friendly rail traffic peaked off. This is due to truck tolls which are set too low and cheap fuel prices. Cheap fuel prices resulted in an increase of 3.5 per cent in diesel fuel sales, and 2 percent for petrol. The aviation sector also reported considerable growth. 

“As long as Germany’s transport sector continues to benefit from environmentally harmful subsidies worth an annual 28.6 billion euros, there will be no change in this trend”, said Ms Krautzberger: “The tax advantage for diesel fuel and other privileges must be gradually phased out.” 

Consumer tips

Try it out and take a survey: our improved air quality information online

You want to know how good the air quality is today, or how much particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide or ozone pollution is in the air? Should you be concerned about doing physical exercise outdoors or is it better to put it off until another day? Visit our newly designed web pages on current air quality and take part in our survey. read more (in German)

How the swimming pools stays clean

Unseen by pool bathers, water treatment equipment is at work behind closed doors to ensure that the water is clean and meets hygiene standards. See our new guidebook [Rund um das Badewasser] on how it works and what bathers can do to help keep the water clean. read more (in German)

UBA positions

Selective driving bans are only a first step to cleaner air

Air quality in the city of Stuttgart must improve. The level of particulates (PM10) measured in 2016 at the Neckartor measuring station exceeded the EU limit value for the pollutant. Nitrogen dioxide is also a health risk, as it is in many other cities around Germany. UBA welcomes the ban on older diesel-run vehicles which is planned for Stuttgart. But as long there are only a few car-free days, the measure represents only a first step. read more (in German)

Agriculture with a future – our video clip

Agriculture, politics and society must make a decision, and that is: do we carry on as we have up to now, or do we want sustainable agriculture which can also supply future generations with food and an attractive landscape? Our new video clip shows the problems which agriculture is causing today but also how things can be done differently. read more (in German)

Science and research

landscape with mine lake

"Wounds" have healed – Water quality of mine lakes has good status

Many mine lakes have the potential to develop very good water quality and they are often cleaner than natural lakes. However, lignite remains the dirtiest of all sources of energy. In 2014 alone lignite caused environmental damage in the amount of 16.8 billion euros. A phase-out of lignite-fired electricity is urgently needed. read more

2017 departmental research plan

What research priorities has the Federal Environment Ministry set this year? Which research projects are scheduled to start? Find out in the 2017 departmental research plan. read more (in German)

Renewable energy: Growth was sluggish in 2016

Growth in the renewable energy sector was much slower in 2016 than in previous years. These are the conclusions about the first official estimates for 2016 by the working group on renewable energy statistics (AGEE-Stat). All the figures have been compiled in a new background paper. read more (in German)

Reducing environmental pollution from veterinary pharmaceuticals

Veterinary pharmaceuticals have increasingly become the focus of public attention. The organism absorbs only a fraction of their active ingredients, and the rest is excreted and lands in water through soil fertilisation. A new study has investigated how the problem can be prevented and reduced. read more (in German)

Industry & Environment

Schmackhafte Desserts an einem Buffet.

Food waste in the catering sector

Food production consumes many resources and produces greenhouse gas emissions. For the sake of the environment food waste should be prevented. A guideline by the German Environment Agency shows how it can work in the catering sector. read more

Federal Government strengthens sustainable consumption

The new Competence Centre for Sustainable Consumption at the German Environment Agency  has been launched. Its aim is to better integrate environmental protection in everyday business and society. read more (in German)

EMAS eco-management: good for companies, authorities and the environment

Companies protecting the environment, cutting operating costs and in the knowledge they are in compliance with the environmental regulations in effect – all this can be done through the voluntary European EMAS Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. A new short film illustrates how two companies are making EMAS work and how they and environmental protection authorities benefit from eco-management. read more (in German)

Pollutant release in thru.de: data now available at a glance

The www.thru.de internet portal features a detailed database of environmental information from industrial facilities which provides annual reports to the German Environment Agency of their emissions and amounts of waste disposal. A compact report on pollutant releases since 2007 is now available. read more (in German)

Environmental Innovation Programme promotes energy-efficient test bay

The Arntz Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG company, a European market leader in fan belts, wants to prevent its expansion of production from incurring higher energy consumption. They have therefore developed an innovative comprehensive plan for their test bays in the manufacturing plant in Höxter. The Environmental Innovation Programme is providing support in realizing the project. read more (in German)

Aluminium components: degreasing with ultrasound cuts the use of chemicals

The Holder Oberflächentechnik company in southern Germany will soon be cutting its use of chemicals by nearly 20 tons of chemicals every year: aluminium components will be degreased with ultrasound instead of solvents. The new system is being funded under the Environmental Innovation Programme. read more (in German)

Coatings industry: New solvent-free method

The automotive parts supplier HÜHOCO GmbH from Wuppertal aims to show, in a project funded under the Environmental Innovation Programme, that coating metal strips such as those used in noise-reducing engine seals can also be done without the use of solvents. read more (in German)

Environment at municipal level

Aerial view of a small town

Land take: Make goals binding

An area of 66 hectares of new land is consumed every day in Germany, with severe negative effects on the environment. UBA recommends a fixed quota regime for land and a certificate trading system. read more

European Mobility Week: find out about it now and take part

European Mobility Week takes place every year on 16 - 22 September. Take part in this campaign by the European Commission as a municipality, association or other initiative and show that environmentally friendly mobility can work. For Germany, the national coordination office at UBA is glad to provide support. read more (in German)

Updated manual on sourcing green electricity

Public authorities can play an active role in driving the Energiewende through green electricity. An updated manual from the German Environment Agency provides guidance on how to source it. read more (in German)

Green public procurement: training materials are helpful

There are various uncertainties and questions regarding the incorporation of environmental criteria in public procurement. For example: What provisions must be taken into account under public procurement law? How can quality labels be implemented? Where can one find information on available, environment-friendly product alternatives? Our updated training course scripts provide the answers. read more (in German)

Environment at international level

Two women in front of a washing machine

Extending the service life of electrical appliances

The service life of most electrical appliances and equipment is becoming ever shorter – at the expense of the environment. The production of new models requires the consumption of valuable precious metals and energy which are not compensated by innovations such as lower energy use. UBA has drafted policy recommendations that will be fed into the European debate about the Circular Economy Package. read more

Plant

Conference “Greening the Economy in the Alpine Region”

Join us for a discussion on how to green the economy and make the Alps an even better place to live and work. The Federal Republic of Germany represented by the German Environment Agency and the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention are pleased to invite you to the Alpine-wide conference on “Greening the Economy in the Alpine Region”. read more

black manganese nodule

Deep sea mining: Germany lobbying for high environmental standards

The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Germany Environment Agency (UBA) are campaigning for systematic environmental protection in deep sea mining. At an expert workshop event in Berlin, the two authorities made an appeal for a comprehensive assessment of both the chances and risks of future deep sea mining. read more

Law & legislation

Green public procurement in compliance with public procurement law

The reform of procurement law for contracts above the EU threshold entered into force in April 2016. The updated UBA publication on green public procurement (Rechtsgutachten umweltfreundliche öffentliche Beschaffung) examines the new legal framework and points out how to take account of environmental criteria in the procurement of goods and services. read more (in German)

Legal Instruments of General Resource Protection

There is no systematic and elaborated legal regime for the protection of resources either in Germany or at the European level. The legal system only addresses certain issues in some legal areas. The German Environment Agency therefore commissioned a study to find out how an effective protective regime could be anchored in German law. read more (in German)

New Publications

Cover of publication Climate Change 10/2017 Analysis of selected climate protection scenarios for European countries

Analysis of selected climate protection scenarios for European countries

Substudy Report - 2. Revised Edition

Core prerequisite for reaching global ambitous climate targets is a nearly carbon-free economy by mid-century. In this context a number of EU member states have developed long-term climate scenarios and thus initiated first discussions on national and European level. However, based on national circumstances, political orientation and differences in national starting points, the scenarios differ...read more

Series
Climate Change
Number of pages
41
Year of publication
Titelbild UBA Position Paper

Compatibility of the European Emissions Trading Scheme with interacting energy and climate policy instruments and measures

Creating scarcity through stringent targets and flexible control of the certificate supply

– UBA Position Paper –

The European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is currently unable to fulfil its role as a leading climate policy instrument: surpluses in the market have pushed the price of emission allowances down over a long period of time and weakened incentives created by the EU ETS. The caps are structurally set too high and not sufficiently coordinated with interacting energy and climate policy instrume...read more

Series
position
Number of pages
21
Year of publication
cover of publication Texte 16/2017: Definition of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in Europe: BAT for Air Emission Reduction in the Chemical Industry Sector in Germany

Definition of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in Europe: BAT for Air Emission Reduction in the Chemical Industry Sector in Germany

In September 2016, the European Commission started an information exchange with member states, industry associations and NGOs on best available techniques for waste gas treatment in the chemical sector. Aim of the information exchange is the development of a Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document on Common Waste Gas Treatment in the Chemical Sector (WGC BREF). With this research rep...read more

Series
Texte
Number of pages
349
Year of publication
Cover of publication 20/2017 Definition of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in Europe for Surface Treatment Using Organic Solvents

Definition of Best Available Techniques (BAT) in Europe for Surface Treatment Using Organic Solvents

Based on the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU), the European Commission started 2014 an information exchange on best available techniques (BAT), aiming at the revision of the BAT Reference Document for Surface Treatment Using Organic Solvents” (STS BREF 2007). Germany participates actively in the information exchange to promote an ambitious level of environmental regulation in Europe....read more

Series
Texte
Number of pages
51
Year of publication
Cover of publication Texte 24/2017 Development of cornerstones for a monitoring programme for the assessment of biocide emissions into the environment

Development of cornerstones for a monitoring programme for the assessment of biocide emissions into the environment

For most biocides the environmental burdens resulting from the emission of these substances into the environment are not adequately known. A national monitoring programme aiming to investigate biocides in the environment could change this. In the present project, a concept for the implementation of a comprehensive biocides monitoring was prepared. Furthermore, an approach for the prioritisation...read more

Series
Texte
Number of pages
326
Year of publication
Cover of publication 22/2017 Environmentally-related balancing of "intelligent" and "active" packaging systems with regard to their recyclability and dialogue with stakeholders in the disposal and manufacturing industries

Environmentally-related balancing of "intelligent" and "active" packaging systems with regard to their recyclability and dialogue with stakeholders in the disposal and manufacturing industries SUMMARY

Packaging design is becoming increasingly complex with a growing use of components for the purpose of improving packaging properties or their increasing functionality. These include inter alia coatings for shelf life extension of foods or RFID-Chips for contactless identification (Radio Frequency Identification). Packaging design has a significant influence on its recyclability. Therefore, the ...read more

Series
Texte
Number of pages
10
Year of publication
Cover of publication Dokumentationen 08/2016 European Conference on Plastics in Freshwater Environments

European Conference on Plastics in Freshwater Environments 21 – 22 June 2016 in Berlin

Abstracts

In 2016 the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) organised a conference on plastics in freshwater environments on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). 220 attendants from 20 European and two non-European countries attended the conference. The objective was to exchange knowledge...read more

Series
Dokumentationen
Number of pages
120
Year of publication
Cover of publication 53/2016 Financing of a sustainable freight transport: Requirements and conditions for a future development of freight transport – a systematic analysis based on a comparison of countries

Financing of a sustainable freight transport: Requirements and conditions for a future development of freight transport – a systematic analysis based on a comparison of countries

In light of current developments and challenges in the freight transport sector, the report mainly seeks to do the following: Develop a future-oriented road and rail freight transport financing model that is oriented toward sus-tainability, climate protection goals, and modal shift goals in Germany – for which a key element is the lessons that have been learned in other countries (i.e. cross-co...read more

Series
Texte
Number of pages
18
Year of publication
Cover of publication Texte 26/2017 Monitoring the consequences of local climate change on the natural resources of the ice-free regions of Maxwell Bay

Monitoring the consequences of local climate change on the natural resources of the ice-free regions of Maxwell Bay (King George Island, Antarctic)

The Fildes Region is one of the largest ice-free regions in maritime Antarctica and has a relatively high level of biodiversity. This area also represents the logistical centre of the Antarctic Peninsula with its six permanent stations. Given the great importance of long-term monitoring programmes, especially in regions with natural resources at high risk and in areas of rapid climatic change, ...read more

Series
Texte
Number of pages
178
Year of publication
Cover "UBA’s key aspects to increase plastic recycling and the use of recyclates"

UBA’s key aspects to increase plastic recycling and the use of recyclates

The recycling of plastic waste and the use of recyclates in new products conserve primary raw materials and, unlike the production from crude oil, save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. Recycling (i.e. material recovery) is usually the most environmentally friendly choice among waste management processes. Consequently, material recovery from waste is at the top of the recovery options in the Cir...read more

Series
position
Number of pages
20
Year of publication

Events

Imprint

Umweltbundesamt (German Environment Agency)
Präsidialbereich / Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Internet; Pressesprecher
Wörlitzer Platz 1
06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
Phone: +49(0) 340 2103-2416
Fax: +49(0) 340 2103-2285
Email: buergerservice@uba.de

Editor:
Corinne Meunier
corinne.meunier@uba.de

Six times a year our Newsletter „UBA aktuell“ provides information about the latest activities and work of the German Environment Agency (UBA).

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