The condition of Germany's rivers continues to improve. The Rhine and many other rivers have many more fish species than 30 years ago. Salmon – once virtually wiped out – are once again at home in German waters. Some stretches of the Danube have “good” to “very good” ecological status, rating best among all Germany’s rivers. There is still a need for action along the Weser and Ems rivers. read more
Sandoz chemical spill, 30 years onward: Salmon have returned to the Rhine
New Urban Agenda – Toolkit for modern cities
Presenting the global roadmap for sustainable urban development over the next twenty years: the New Urban Agenda. It is the key outcome of the UN Habitat III Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development which ended on 20 October 2016 in the Ecuadorean capital Quito. read more
German Environmental Survey: positive mid-term assessment
The first half of the Fifth German Environmental Survey (GerES V) was completed at the end of May 2016. By that time, the number of participants had reached 1,326 children and adolescents and their parents, from 101 locations. The study examines the extent to which children and adolescents in Germany are exposed to environmental stressors. read more
Climate action: how to reduce emissions even before 2020
The international community resolved to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. The mitigation activities proposed by the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will not be enough to achieve that goal. An UBA report shows how the gap can be narrowed even before 2020, for example with more efficient electrical appliances and through renewable energy support. read more
Global record temperatures and flash floods in Germany – small taste of the summer of the future?
2016 has made it especially clear what is going to happen when anthropogenic climate change and the resulting warming of the Earth meet the natural climate phenomenon El Niño. Global temperatures have jumped to new highs: it has been the hottest summer worldwide and may well be the hottest on record since 1880. The numerous droughts and flooding incidents have shown the extreme side of weather. read more
Technical guides advise on sewage sludge management
Two English-language technical guides are now available to countries where modernisation of facilities for waste water treatment and sewage sludge management is imminent, e.g. to comply with EU requirements. read more
Greenhouse gas-neutral freight transport is necessary and feasible
Krautzberger: Move more goods to the rail, substitute fossil fuels. read more
Employment in environmental protection breaks the 2-million mark
Some 2.2 million people were employed in the environmental protection sector in Germany in 2012, say updated figures from the German Environment Agency (UBA), which is an increase of 245,000 jobs (12.5%) compared to 2010. Great increases in employment have notably occurred in the services sector associated with environmental protection. read more