Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 4/2024 | Umweltbundesamt

Vision for environmentally sustainable freight transport

How can the transport of goods become greenhouse gas-neutral, low-noise and low-emission? Source: Ana / Adobe Stock

Germany must become greenhouse gas-neutral by 2045 – as stipulated in the German Climate Protection Act. This target also applies to freight transport. A mammoth task, considering that forecasts predict a further 46 per cent increase in freight transport by 2051 compared to 2019. A vision put forward by the German Environment Agency for environmentally sustainable freight transport in 2045 shows how this can still be achieved and how other environmental problems, such as noise and air pollutants, can be minimised at the same time. In order to realise this vision, more than 70 recommendations for action have been compiled for politicians and businesses at global, national and local level.

The recommendations focus on shifting to more environmentally sustainable modes of transport and the electrification of freight transport. Transport by plane and lorry should be shifted as far as possible to the much more energy-efficient transport modes of ship and rail. Instead of fossil fuels such as kerosine, diesel and heavy fuel oil, there should be a complete switch to battery-electric drives for lorries and inland waterway vessels, overhead lines for railways and – where appropriate – for roads, as well as fuels generated with the help of renewable electricity in international sea and air transport. To achieve this, the rail transport system must become more efficient and reliable through strategic expansion, automation and digitalisation. Alternative transport concepts with cargo bikes and micro-depots are needed for cities. However, the most environmentally sustainable form of freight transport is one that does not arise in the first place. For example, by reducing transport through intelligent bundling, shortening transport distance by buying regional products or making transport less frequent by using durable products.

UBA President Prof Dr Dirk Messner comments: “With the increase in freight transport, we will not achieve the climate goals without stronger action. Politicians and industry are now called upon to set the course for environmentally sustainable freight transport – even if the effects are delayed. At the same time, we can all make our contribution by questioning whether and how quickly we actually need a particular product.”

CO₂ emissions per kilowatt hour of electricity down in 2023

Calculations by the German Environment Agency (UBA) show that the specific greenhouse gas emission factors in the German electricity mix fell again in 2023 following an increase in 2022. The main reasons for this are the increased share of renewable energies, the fall in electricity consumption as a result of economic stagnation and the fact that more electricity was imported than exported. read more (in German)

Federal Blue Compass Award 2024

Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and the President of the German Environment Agency, Prof. Dr Dirk Messner, will present the national awards, each endowed with 25,000 euros, to the winners on 19 September 2024 in Berlin during “Climate Adaptation Week” which runs from 16 to 20 September 2024. read more (in German)

Interreg ECHT

The Interreg project "ECHT", in which the UBA is a project partner, was launched at the beginning of 2024. The aim is to promote the circular economy through the traceability of chemicals in products by means of a digital product passport. read more (in German)

Transport transition: finally more room for manoeuvre for cities and local authorities

In future, local authorities will be able to create more space on the roads for buses, bicycles and pedestrians. This is because an amendment to the German Road Traffic Act (StVO) in July 2024 will finally allow local authorities to take climate and environmental protection, health and urban development into account in road traffic policy. The introduction of 30 km/h speed limits and parking space management will also become easier. read more (in German)

German Transport Transition Award 2024: showcase railway projects sought

Better air, less noise, improved quality of life: for the second time, the Pro-Rail Alliance is looking for exemplary rail-related projects throughout Germany that are contributing to a successful transport transition. Particularly promising examples will be honoured with the German Transport Transition Award 2024 at the end of the year. Projects can be nominated for the award until 3 September 2024. read more (in German)

New ecodesign regulation for sustainable products comes into force

The EU Ecodesign Directive has been setting minimum ecological requirements for products for the European market since 2005, thereby saving a lot of energy. On 18 July 2024, it was replaced by the new EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). This extends the scope of application to new environmental aspects and almost all products and will also save more raw materials in future. read more (in German)

Blue Angel for events and for printing inks

In future, the Blue Angel eco-label will also be awarded to events as well as printing inks, inks in general and toners. The Environmental Label Jury approved the award criteria for these two new ecolabels at its meeting in June 2024. The criteria have been updated for other product groups. read more (in German)

New rules to reduce harmful industrial emissions

After intensive negotiations in the Council and Parliament of the European Union, the new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 15 July 2024. Member States now have 22 months to transpose it into national law. It introduces new rules to reduce harmful emissions, and to improve resource efficiency and environmental management in industry. read more (in German)

Nutrition according to new DGE recommendations for “Planetary Health”

Environmental impacts were included for the first time in the development of the recently published new recommendations of the German Society for Nutrition (DGE). An initial assessment commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) shows how a diet based on these recommendations would affect important environmental aspects in comparison to current consumption and the Planetary Health Diet. read more (in German)

Food Points for sustainable nutrition & rural areas

Food Points (LebensMittelPunkte, LMPs) are a concept idea that originated in urban areas. They are intended to contribute to the food transition, make sustainable food accessible to everyone and promote cohesion in the neighbourhood. An association funding project has helped to set up three LMPs in Brandenburg (Germany). A brochure is helping to establish LMPs in rural areas. read more (in German)

PFAS perpetual chemicals in waste

In a recent study by the German Environment Agency (UBA), waste was analysed for long-lasting chemicals in the PFAS substance group. PFAS were detected in all materials in low concentrations (0.04 - 5 mg/Kg). The results show, among other things, that rain jackets and other textile products that may have been treated with PFAS should not be disposed of via normal textile recycling. read more (in German)

UBA information film: marine protection starts on land

Oceans are important for us humans. Many pressures on the marine environment originate on land. What are these pressures? A new UBA information video uses the Elbe river as an example to show that marine protection concerns us all. read more (in German)

Relevance of sweeteners as trace substances in water bodies confirmed

The artificial sweeteners acesulfame-K and sucralose pollute water bodies and drinking water. This is shown by data compiled by the German Centre for Micropollutants at the German Environment Agency. The two sweeteners, and thus for the first time food additives, have now been categorised as relevant micropollutant. However, there is currently no health risk to humans from sweetener residues. read more (in German)

Environmental Data: UBA launches “Data Cube” pilot system

With its environmental data, the UBA provides a wide range of up-to-date data on the state of the environment. A new system – the UBA Data Cube – improves the usability of this data. Key benefits include machine-readable data, open file formats, interfaces (APIs) and customisation options. The test operation has now started – we look forward to your feedback. read more (in German)

There are around 300,000 standing bodies of water in Germany. These include lakes, ponds and pools.