Umweltbundesamt
In September 2015 the United Nations agreed upon the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They contain targets dealing with soil quality, restoration of degraded soil and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. Yet, what options actually exist to estimate soil and land degradation on global level? This has now been examined by a new report. read more
Whilst global demand for food and renewable raw materials is rising, the very basis for producing these – healthy, fertile soil – is under threat. It is estimated that 1.5 billion people are already affected by the consequences of this development. A coordinated global approach to protecting the vital resource ‘soil’ is therefore urgently necessary. read more
The third Global Soil Week took place in April 2015 in Berlin. UBA was a partner in organizing the conference, which was hosted by the IASS and chaired by Klaus Töpfer. In her statement, Maria Krautzberger makes a case for utilizing the implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for promoting soil protection at all levels. read more
A panel discussion on environmental risks and an effective environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicines will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 04 March 2015. read more
Nearly every single human activity has an ecological impact on the complex soil system. Agricultural practices which are not adapted to local conditions are the main cause of soil degradation worldwide. The growth of world population and the increasing global demand for vegetable raw materials and meat are increasing the demand for fertile soil. At the same time, soil is being lost through erosion... read more
Extensive emissions of Ammonia into the air remain a well-known problem for years. This has resulted in oversupply with nutrients, processes of acid deposition and the loss of biological diversity in ecosystems. The largest part of ammonia emissions in Germany is generated in the agriculture sector (95 %), with 52 % stemming from cattle farming and 20 % from intensive rearing of pigs. read more
The purpose of tradable land planning permits is to control the use of new land for settlement and transport. Municipalities would be restricted in developing greenfield land outside of existing built-up areas for new settlement and transport projects. The UBA is currently conducting a countrywide pilot project with selected municipalities. read more
Soil protection continues to be treated as the stepchild of environmental politics. This is not just, for soils and their many interconnections to water, air and the climate as well as providing the site for foods and feedstuffs play a crucial role at the heart of precautionary environmental politics. To support the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in the area of soil protection, Prof. Dr. Andreas... read more
The UBA’s motto, For our environment (“Für Mensch und Umwelt”), sums up our mission pretty well, we feel. In this video we give an insight into our work.
