Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals, Water

Contaminants in water resources: Prioritization and recommendations for conducting a “cold” biodegradation simulation test according to OECD TG 309

The threat posed to drinking water resources by persistent and mobile substances has been recognized for decades. However, for many contaminants, some of which have been detected in drinking water resources for decades, there is still no conclusive assessment of their intrinsic biodegradability in the aquatic environment by the responsible companies. The recommendations are intended to make it eas...read more

Chemicals, Economy | Consumption, Health

Toxicological basic data for the derivation of EU-LCI values for five substances

The subject of this project was the preparation of substance reports for five substances relevant for building products emissions. For these substances, the toxicological data basis were compiled and evaluated, and EU-LCI values were proposed. The EU-LCI values allow the harmonisation of the health assessment of building products emissions throughout Europe. The EU-LCI Working Group is currently d...read more

Climate | Energy

Development of combustion installations under the EU ETS

Overview and country-level analysis of electricity generation between 2005 and 2019

The generation of electricity and heat is the largest single activity covered by the EU Emissions Trad-ing System (EU ETS). This report provides an in-depth analysis of the electricity sector since the EU ETS was introduced in 2005. It allows key drivers behind the development in capacities, generation levels and emissions to be identified. It thereby provides key information from past development...read more

Climate | Energy

Development of the iron and steelmaking sector under the EU ETS

Overview and country level analysis from 2005 to 2019

This report aims to describe key developments of the iron and steelmaking sector in the period from 2005 to 2019. It identifies key drivers behind the trends in emissions, production levels, investments, and the market environment on the country and installation level by giving an overview of the EU-28 level as well as detailed information for eight selected European countries: Germany, Italy, Fra...read more

Climate | Energy, Chemicals, Economy | Consumption, Air, Waste | Resources, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Comparison of environmental reporting requirements from the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) with selected environmental laws

Case studies from a large and mid-sized company

This paper investigates synergies and challenges for companies to use information collected to meet their environmental regulatory obligations for the purposes of reporting under the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It presents the results of two cases studies from the German manufacturing industry. The case studies find that processes in place and data collected because of...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Waste | Resources, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Limits to Consumption

Sustainable Consumption Considering Planetary Boundaries

The concept of ‘Planetary Boundaries’ quantifies the limits on the Earth system. The report explores the question on how consumption patterns could look like which are globally transferable, compatible with German consumption levels and remain within planetary boundaries. The report examines this question based on average consumption patterns in Germany. It develops and outlines six exemplary cons...read more

Climate | Energy

The Research & Funding Landscape of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM)

For many years, research into SRM was only publicly funded to a limited extent. Private funding, mainly from philanthropic institutions, was the main source. More recently, growing interest from both the public and private sectors has been reported, although concrete data on expanded funding streams is limited and the overall scale and direction of this investment remains unclear This factsheet at...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Air, Transport, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Heavy Freight. Big Challenge. One Goal.

Environmentally sustainable freight transport: international, national, local

Freight transport keeps the world running. In Germany freight transport has grown massively these past 30 years, by 75 %. Its climate-harming emissions are nowadays 25 % higher. Continuously high burdens of air pollution, noise and land consumption represent the downside of freight transport.The German Environment Agency (UBA) with this brochure attempts to present a vision for an environmentally...read more