Umweltbundesamt
The European chemicals regulation REACH is intended to contribute to a more sustainable chemistry. A current UBA report provides a systematic analysis on the relations between main elements of REACH (e.g. Registration or Information in the supply chain) and main elements of sustainable chemistry (e.g. substitution of hazardous substances or corporate social responsibility of companies). read more
This is the message of a virtual panel discussion hosted by OECD, UBA and UNEP in the context of current debates on the vulnerability of global value chains to crises and the legal regulation of human rights and environmental due diligence. The discussion focused on the need to better dovetail environmental protection and respect for human rights. read more
How can businesses ensure protection of the environment and human rights in their global supply chains? How can the state support them in this and what guidelines are necessary? A recent study commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) has the answers to these questions. read more
In Germany, some 560,000 end-of-life vehicles arose in 2018. Recycling of these vehicles complied with the European recycling and recovery targets, yet the whereabouts of around 310,000 vehicles are unknown. UBA therefore recommends the introduction of minimum requirements for vehicle registration systems in respect of deregistration of vehicles. read more
The German Environment Agency (UBA) reports that 853,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) was collected in Germany in 2018. It is an amount corresponding to a collection rate of 43.1 percent, placing Germany slightly below the EU collection target of 45 percent. read more
In cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the German Environment Agency (UBA) is hosting a session on environmental due diligence in global supply chains on June 25, 2020, as part of the "OECD Global Forum for Responsible Business Conduct". The event takes place online. read more
The German Environment Agency (UBA) has presented a plan on how to design the coronavirus stimulus packages to target environmental protection. "Environmental protection and climate action have been high on the political agenda in recent times and both will remain of major importance after the coronavirus crisis. We should be wary about losing sight of these acute problems as we restart the economy. The restart can only be viable for the future if the funding is used to drive a transformation to a sustainable and climate-neutral society. Investing in obsolete technologies and structures would aggravate the environmental crisis, prevent innovation, slow our competitiveness and put our implementation of the Paris Agreement a long way off," said UBA's President Dirk Messner. Originally presented in May the plan is now available in English. read more
Sources of natural hazards, such as heavy rainfall, flooding, winter storms or lightning, can cause major accidents. Climate change can change the intensity, frequency and local distribution of such sources of hazards. Operators of installations in which large quantities of hazardous substances are present and the authorities responsible for them must therefore adapt their risk management. 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.
