Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy

Post-2012 climate regime

How industrial and developing nations can help to reduce emissions -

Assessing emission trends, reduction potentials, incentive systems and negotiation options

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According to the IPCC fourth assessment report (2007), global carbon dioxide emis-sions need to be reduced by at least 50 to 85% in 2050 compared to 2000 levels if the increase in global surface temperature is to be limited to 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels. The IPCC also suggests intermediate greenhouse gas emission targets for 2020, including a range of 25% to 40% emission reductions comp...read more

Water

Water Framework Directive - The way towards healthy waters

Result of the German river basin management plans 2009

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The aim of the Water Framework Directive is to promote good water quality in all European water bodies by managing water bodies, i.e. lakes, rivers, groundwater bodies, transitional waters and coastal waters. Water body management poses a major challenge indensely populated countries such as Germany. Stewardship of water resources is of paramount importance through out Europe and for all EU enviro...read more

Air, Waste | Resources, Water

Maintaining Biodiversity by Protecting the Environment

A brochure published by the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) to mark the International Year of Biodiversity

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The introduction of wastewater treatment plants as well as the implementation of the Ordinance on large firing installations have probably been the most extensive programmes for the protection of biodiversity ever carried out in Germany. As a consequence, the water in Germany’s rivers is now clean enough for numerous fish species to have returned to their natural habitats, as in the case of the ri...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Sustainable construction and housing

- a needs based approach for the future

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Our way of constructing our buildings, our life-style, our housing patterns, as well as our mobility habits, increasingly place stress on the environment and endanger the basis of existence of many living creatures on this planet. Mankind can carry on ignoring the limits of tolerance of their natural environment. However, they must then learn to cope with increasing damage caused by natural catast...read more

Climate | Energy, Transport

Integration of Marine Transport into the European Emissions Trading System

Environmental, economic and legal analysis of different options

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Marine vessels globally contribute to carbon dioxide emissions with approximately 3.3% (IMO 2009). International ocean shipping has been growing significantly over re-cent years with double digits, in particular in the container segment – the most energy intense ocean shipping segment. The growth forecast for seaborne trade today carries a high degree of uncertainty – particularly since the curren...read more

Transport

Road pricing for cars in Germany?

An evaluation from an environmental and transport policy perspective

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Around €47 billion of the costs incurred by car traffic are not covered by the taxes and duties currently levied. Therefore road user charging systems are appropriate.read more

Waste | Resources

Transboundary shipment of waste electrical and electronic equipment / electronic scrap

Optimization of material flows and control

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At present, significant quantities of used electrical and electronic equipment (hereafter referred to as UEEE) are being exported from Germany. Notified exports (i.e. those with consent by au-thorities) of waste electrical and electronic equipment (hereafter referred to as WEEE) to coun-tries outside the European Union (EU) have not taken place in any appreciable volume in the past years. The cond...read more

Waste | Resources

Lessons Learned from the MPPI and Benefits of Future Private-Public Partnerships in the Framework of the Basel Convention

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This report is about lessons learned from the Mobile Phone Partnership Initiative (MPPI), and provides a basis for any future public-private partnerships in the framework of inter-national agreements, such as the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. It is intended to provide some guidance for governmental authorities and international o...read more