Topics | Umweltbundesamt

The landscape water balance is out of equilibrium: Straightened rivers, sealed soils, and drained peatlands retain too little water in the landscape. The consequences: drought, declining groundwater levels, and flooding. The solutions: retain water through adapted land management, give rivers more space, allow floodplains to flood, and manage land and soil in a climate-resilient way. read more

The majority of people in Germany continue to perceive both the environmental protection and climate change mitigation efforts as important. However, the topic continues to decline in relative perceived significance for the public read more

Technical interventions to mitigate the climate crisis are increasingly being discussed internationally. One frequently mentioned intervention is solar radiation modification (SRM). There are several approaches to this, all of which the UBA believes are highly risky and do not represent a practicable solution to the climate crisis. The UBA has now published its findings in a brochure. read more

Oceans know no boundaries. This also applies to marine life and the spread of pollution. Effective marine protection can therefore only be achieved through intergovernmental cooperation. read more

UBA together with UNDP, UNEP, Future Earth, ISC, ITU and Kenya is championing the Coalition for Digital Environment Sustainability – CODES, which brings together science community, governmental institutions, UN Bodies, tech companies, and civil society. read more

Air pollution control measures are proving effective. In Germany, 2024 is the first year in which all limit values set by the European Air Quality Directive have been met. This is the seventh consecutive year that particulate matter levels have remained within the prescribed limits. read more

The transport of passengers and freight generates greenhouse gases (GHG) – not only through the actual transport activities, but also as a result of the processes at the individual locations or through services. On behalf of the UBA, a guideline has been produced which provides information for the standardised calculation and reporting of GHG emissions along transport chains. read more

The outcomes of the World Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29) have caused disappointment both in Baku and worldwide. Nevertheless, they still contribute to the international climate action process – an achievement that cannot be taken for granted given the current geopolitical situation. read more