Publications

Digitalisation in transport offers opportunities for connected and automated public transport and can contribute significantly to the development of sustainable mobility. However, if unregulated, digitalisation can counteract a modal shift and lead to additional journeys in private motorised transport, thus to an increasing demand for energy and resources.

The publication summarizes three strategies for transforming the food system that have been outlined in the “STErn project”, namely the promotion of a more plant-based diet, the further development of the organic farming and food industry and the strengthening of regional value chains.

Mechanistic effect models (MEM) have become increasingly popular in the field of environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plant protection products. However there remains numerous open questions to risk assessors, modelers, applicants and the public. This report provides a scientific evaluation of 11 MEM or MEM families. It also critically assesses their relevance for ERA (e.g.

The sustainability transformation of the financial sector is a key prerequisite for the transformation of the real economy.

In October 2023, the EU introduced a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposing a carbon price on imports of selected goods to the EU market. This way, the CBAM complements the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). One question that arises for the implementation of the new instrument is how third-country carbon prices can be recognised and deducted from CBAM payments.

In view of the advanced development of new specific active pharmaceutical ingredients, the question arises as to whether the established standard procedures for the environmental risk assessment in the context of marketing authorization are still sufficient to adequately cover relevant effects on environmental organisms.

The report is based on the results of a questionnaire on current and planned research and monitoring activities on waste in various environmental compartments, which was distributed to European countries via the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). It analyses current and planned research and monitoring activities as well as reduction strategies in relation to waste in water and soil.

The project "Dialogues on the appropriate management of substances of concern in the circular economy" aimed to develop a common understanding of the challenges at the interface between chemicals and waste legislation among the stakeholders involved. Furthermore, a current status quo was established on the basis of a literature review.

Although there is a considerable potential for the recycling of technical plastics from ELV and WEEE in Germany, the status is deficient and targeted measures are needed to develop appropriate capacities.

This study explores the intermediate uses of 53 petroleum and coal stream (PetCo) substances, focusing on 15 marker constituents with properties of concern such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reprotoxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and endocrine disruption.

In late 2023, the International Standard Organization (ISO) published a new standard on carbon neutrality: ISO 14068-1. It provides terminology, principles and requirements for GHG-neutral organizations and products, agreed by international experts.

The study looks at the functioning of the new emission trading system for road transport, buildings, and small installations (ETS 2) in the EU. It explains the rules governing the supply of allowances including the functioning of the market stability reserve (MSR) and the price containment mechanisms.