Online shopping is not always bad for the environment – it may even be more climate-friendly than driving a car to a shop. But what and how we shop online will have a significant impact on the CO₂ balance. This report presents our latest study results for more climate-friendly e-commerce and what specific actions retailers, logistics companies, politicians and consumers can take. It also looks at the latest data on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality in Germany in 2022 and what key points need to be considered to ensure that new materials will be safe and sustainable throughout their life cycle.
We hope you find it an interesting read,
The Press Office of the German Environment Agency
How e-commerce can become more climate-friendly
CO₂ from shopping online can be reduced considerably. One way is by avoiding returns.
Source: Gorodenkoff / Adobe Stock
Whether online or in a brick-and-mortar shop, those who only buy what is really necessary and otherwise take pains to buy environmentally friendly products are the ones who save the most climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond this, the greatest potential for making e-commerce even more climate-friendly is found in shipping packaging, returns and logistics according to a study by the UBA. If all optimisation potential identified in these three areas were utilised, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by between 18 and 98 per cent for each online purchase. To achieve this, all involved need to do their part: policymakers, businesses, logistics companies and, naturally, the customers as well.
Returns: Returning goods not only results in additional CO₂ emissions from the return transport, but also adds to the total emissions of the manufacturing process when the returned goods are destroyed. One way to avoid this would be for retailers to provide better information about their products to avoid returns. By making adjustments to tax law, policymakers could encourage businesses to donate returned goods instead of destroying them.
Shipping packaging: Many products are already well protected in their product packaging. They can be shipped without additional shipping packaging, thereby using less packaging material. Reusable systems for shipping packaging should also be used more in future.
Logistics: 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions for last mile delivery could be saved by electrifying delivery vehicles and by introducing delivery concepts with intermediate storage (micro hubs) and delivery bicycles. Policymakers can do their part to promote this, such as by providing charging infrastructure and space for micro hubs. Companies that already offer last mile delivery services that are as environmentally friendly as possible can highlight their environmental commitment with the Blue Angel eco-label.
Germany's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) fell slightly by 1.9% in 2022. GHG emissions were around 746 million tonnes – some 15 million tonnes less than 2021. Overall, emissions in Germany have fallen by 40.4% since 1990. While this means that Germany is generally on track to meet the targets of the Federal Climate Change Act, emissions in the energy sector increased significantly.
The Global Stocktake, a key component of the Paris Agreement’s ratchet mechanism, assesses global progress every five years with the goal of informing countries’ NDC updates. The analysis demonstrates how global progress across a range of sectoral emission indicators can be assessed using performance distributions to allow for a detailed and nuanced analysis without singling out individual…
The discussion paper explores several options for the political phase of the first global stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement, which will be concluded at the end of 2023. This phase could be organised by thematic area as defined by the GST or structured by sector. Organising the political phase by thematic area possibly facilitates high-level participation and visibility, while organising…
This report develops concrete structures for the use of urban carbon market approaches under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement for Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Kampala (Uganda). It takes into account both ongoing and planned emission reduction measures so that the results can be used effectively. In addition to a status quo analysis of the emissions profiles of Addis Ababa and Kampala, the existing…
The forest sector contributes to high emissions worldwide through the loss of historically built-up carbon stocks, mainly from deforestation and forest degradation. The REDD+ approach aims at compensating developing countries for efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, to maintain and increase forest carbon stocks or to manage forests sustainably. This report…
On 30 November 2022, the Commission proposed an EU carbon removal certification framework (CRCF). The proposed framework could undermine the environmental integrity of EU climate policies. This risk is aggravated by the fact that the EU has not agreed on the role of removals for the time past the year 2030.
This report assesses the Commission’s proposal for the CRCF and discusses interlinkages of…
Climate Change
35
Energy use in Germany in 2022: more renewable energy instead of natural gas
In 2022, significantly more renewable energy was used in Germany than in previous years. Both with regard to the generation of electricity as well as heating, renewable energy contributed significantly to replacing the use of fossil fuels, especially natural gas. This is shown by initial data from the Working Group on Renewable Energy Statistics (AGEE-Stat). read more (in German)
IPCC Synthesis Report makes the pressure to act for 1.5 °C even clearer
According to the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), extreme weather events will become much more frequent as climate change intensifies. Global greenhouse gas emissions must be cut in half by 2030 to limit warming to 1.5 °C. There is no shortage of solutions for this, but the current measures are not enough. Drastic measures are needed immediately. read more (in German)
Cool buildings in summer – here’s how
The next heat wave is sure to come: Climate change will lead to excessive heat in indoor spaces more and more often. Sun protection elements, façade insulation and other measures can greatly limit this effect. But people can also help to keep rooms cool by ventilating thoroughly at night or by switching off electrical appliances. read more (in German)
Phasing out coal as an opportunity for greenhouse gas-neutral heating grids
In future, heating networks will need to supply buildings in a way that is greenhouse gas-neutral. Today, energy often still comes from combined heat and power plants run using fosil fuels. For many heating grids, the phasing-out of coal means that the most important source of heat at present will no longer be available. A “Renewable Heat Infrastructure Act” could be a vital first step and provide planning security. read more (in German)
The air indoors, whether at schools or offices, is often stuffy. Air conditioning systems can provide relief, but they do not always operate as they should. The quality seal for air conditioning systems can help based on its three-phase verification to ensure good indoor air quality and energy-efficiency during planning, installation and operation.
Advanced materials are innovative materials of most diverse chemical composition and form. They can offer solutions to global challenges. Examples are carrier systems for novel active ingredients or graphene for future use in batteries. To ensure that the materials are safe and sustainable over their life cycle, certain cornerstones need to be considered.
The subject of this project was the preparation of substance reports for five substances or substance groups relevant for building products emissions. For these substances, the toxicological data basis were researched, compiled and evaluated, and EU-LCI values were proposed. The EU-LCI values allow the harmonisation of the health assessment of building products emissions throughout Europe. The EU…
Bioconcentration tests with the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca (HYBIT) have been proposed as alternatives to fish tests, and the respective experimental BCF values show promising correlations. It is still unclear whether the HYBIT test is also suitable for highly hydrophobic chemicals, such as the UV stabilizers UV-234 and UV-329. In order to estimate the range in which the uptake rate…
Texte
59
PFAS need to be restricted throughout the EU
Together with authorities from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the UBA has submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for the EU-wide restriction of PFASs (perfluoroalkylated substances). This has now been published. In future, the production, use and marketing of all PFASs are to be restricted – with some exceptions. read more (in German)
In the EU, the use of perfluorinated carboxylic acids with 9-14 carbon atoms (C9-C14 PFCA) will be restricted starting in 2023. The substances hardly degrade in nature and accumulate organisms. Some of the substances also have negative effects on humans. The restriction proposal was originally put forward by the German Environment Agency in cooperation with Sweden. read more (in German)
Bisphenol F and Bisphenol AF: ECHA confirms hormonal effect
The EU Member States Committee (MSC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has confirmed the endocrine-disrupting effects of bisphenol F, bisphenol AF and the salts of bisphenol AF on environmental organisms. Member States unanimously adopted a resolution requiring both bisphenols to meet the WHO/IPCS criteria for endocrine disruptors in the environment. read more (in German)
How can projects for redistributing and repurposing public streets succeed? What can be learned from successful national and international examples? The brochure summarizes practical experiences of redesigning streets in favor of active mobility and the quality of life in cities. Good examples from Germany and Europe were examined using an evaluation matrix. Many show recurring success factors…
brochure / flyer
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The path to sustainable urban mobility
For a successful mobility transformation in cities, individual measures such as the expansion of public transport and bicycle infrastructure or the reduction of parking spaces must be combined in clearly aligned roadmaps. As long as measures are only considered and implemented individually, they will only be able to make a limited contribution to sustainable urban mobility. This is shown by studies on a model city. read more (in German)
100 major copper, iron ore and bauxite (“aluminium ore”) mine sites worldwide have been assessed for their environmental hazard potentials. Results have been published in an interactive map with a number of filter functions. In particular, companies can use the map to analyse environmental risks along supply chains and to support their environmental due diligence.
A new version – the „Methodological Convention 3.2” – has been published and contains a partial update of the monetized environmental impacts, based on new value factors for greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions.
The Methodological Convention 3.1 for the Assessment of Environmental Costs – Value Factors provides value factors for emissions of greenhouse gases, air pollutants, noise, nitrogen…
brochure / flyer
67
Artificial intelligence conserves raw materials and CO₂ during window construction
Colours and decors of vinyl window profiles are mostly created using decorative foils (lamination). Error-prone manual application leads to large amounts of waste. A project of the Environmental Innovation Programme, the industry’s first plant using fully automatic lamination of geometrically complex PVC profiles, showed that artificial intelligence can contribute significantly to the conservation of resources. read more (in German)
Waste / Resources
Controlled and environmentally friendly dismantling of wind turbines
The dismantling of wind turbines in Germany is proceeding in different ways. This could result in risks to humans and the environment. In addition, uncertainty can make the dismantling work more expensive. A study conducted for the German Environment Agency therefore proposes the harmonisation of legal requirements, the examination of provisions and information obligations for manufacturers. read more (in German)
Campaign launched for the disposal of old batteries
Only about 48 per cent of used-up batteries in households are returned properly in Germany. Batteries that are disposed of improperly – such as in residual waste – lead to large losses of raw materials and increase fire hazards. On International Battery Day, 18 February, a nationwide awareness campaign for battery take-back systems was launched. read more (in German)
Germany recorded no exceedances of particulate matter threshold values in 2022 for the fifth consecutive year. Current data shows that the annual mean limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) of 40 µg/m³ was exceeded at only two roadside measuring stations in Munich and Essen. These are the results of a preliminary evaluation of data collected by the federal states and the German Environment Agency.
Proceedings of an Expert Workshop held in Dessau and online on 28/29 March 2022
More than ten years after the recommendation of the updated CLRTAP critical levels for ammonia, new findings on the effects of ammonia on vegetation have been discussed in a workshop in Dessau Scientists dealing with research on effects of ammonia on vegetation and ecosystems and those involved in the monitoring of ammonia in the environment were asked to present their recent research. In total 19…
Texte
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Release of pollutants into the environment at a glance
At www.thru.de, you can find a detailed database on emissions and waste quantities disposed of by industrial enterprises in Germany, which they report on annually to the German Environment Agency. An overview of this database in its entirety is now available in a brochure, now updated for reporting years 2007 to 2021, which presents the data in a compact form. read more (in German)
The German Environment Agency has commissioned a project to study the effects of discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) of ships on the marine environment. Scrubber discharge contains pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are classified as extremely hazardous. Discharge bans - at least regional - are recommended.
New explanatory film on the state of Germany’s waters
The explanatory film illustrates the current state of our rivers, lakes and groundwater. Not only the main uses, loads and pollution, but also measures for improvement are explained. The explanatory film complements the published brochure and dashboard with the most up-to-date data, giving you the state of the waters in Germany. read more (in German)
Watercourse type of the year in 2023 is the low mountain range river
For the “Watercourse Type of the Year in 2023”, the German Environment Agency has selected the low mountain range river as the typical watercourse of our low mountain range landscapes with species-rich fauna and flora. Only a few of these rivers are still in a near-natural state, as the influx of nutrients and pollutants, straightening and bank stabilisation as well as transverse structures have been altering them for decades. read more (in German)
Rewetting peatlands can do a great deal to protect the climate. Drained peatlands in Germany emit some 53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents every year, which is about 7.5 percent of all its GHG emissions.
Nitrogen emissions from almost all sectors of society lead to risks for humans and the environment. Sustainable management of nitrogen and its compounds therefore plays a major role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a milestone towards sustainable nitrogen management, the German Environment Agency proposes a upper limit of 1,000 kt nitrogen per year for Germany. The…
background paper
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Sustainability / Strategies / International Matters
The shortage of housing is a problem in many large cities and metropolitan areas. The building sector has for years failed to meet its environmental and climate targets. A position paper by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Commission for Sustainable Building (KNBau) at UBA investigates how affordable housing can be built without harm to the environment and human health.
Recommendations for avoiding the implementation gap
To systematically bring nature back to cities, the EU Biodiversity Strategy calls upon cities with over 20,000 inhabitants to develop Urban Greening Plans (UGP). Nature based solutions (NbS) are at the centre of UGPs, addressing climate resilient infrastructures and biodiversity in cities together. They should agree with existing planning instruments. This paper points towards the need for…
Study commissioned by the German government, through its Federal Environment Agency (UBA) with the aim to identify and describe the entities that may provide financial support to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, in order to address their challenges with the sound management of chemicals and waste. The overview of the 47 entities identified by the study provides a…
Texte
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German Environment Agency supports Ukraine in water protection
Ukrainian and German experts have jointly developed a guideline for improving the condition of watercourses in Ukraine. This has now been finalised successfully despite the war that has been going on for a year. The guide focuses on efficient options for the restoration of streams and rivers, taking the Dnister in Ukraine as an example. read more (in German)
