Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals, Agriculture

Understanding of ‘negligible exposure’ in international science, policy and law, and qualification of the term in relation to the exposure of endocrine substances to the environment

To support the interpretation of 3.8.2 of Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009

The term “negligible exposure” to endocrine disruptors has been clarified in context of European plant protection product regulations. For this purpose, a research of scientific, policy and legal literature was performed. Definitions of “negligible exposure” were extracted from publications related to (chemical) substances in the environment. Findings were grouped into narrative, qualitative, and...read more

Chemicals, Water

Trifluoroacetate (TFA): Laying the foundations for effective mitigation

Spatial analysis of the input pathways into the water cycle

Trifluoroacetate (TFA) is a very persistent and highly mobile substance that can accumulate in certain environmental compartments. TFA cannot be removed using conventional water treatment methods. Although, according to current knowledge, the acute toxicity of TFA is low, inputs of TFA into water bodies should be avoided as far as possible.In this project Germany-wide TFA pollution and its sources...read more

Economy | Consumption, Air

Corporate sustainability reporting on environmental pollution

Potential benefits and challenges for environmental authorities to use information disclosed according to European Sustainability Reporting Standard E2

From 2025 onwards, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires large European companies to provide transparency on their impacts on people and the environment. So far, the role of these new reporting rules in the work of environmental authorities has not been systematically analysed and discussed. This study examines the potential benefits and challenges for environmental auth...read more

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Setting an ambitious EU climate target for the year 2040

Recommendations by the German Environment Agency

The European Climate Law mandates the European Commission to propose a 2040 emissions reduction target by early 2024. In light of the latest report from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, the German Environment Agency follows suit and recommends adhering to scientific advice, aiming for the most plausible climate ambition, and setting a domestic 2040 net greenhouse gas emiss...read more

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

What is the role of nuclear energy in achieving climate targets in global scenarios?

This factsheet analyses the role of nuclear energy in global climate scenarios. It shows, that a global tripling of nuclear capacity until 2050 is neither realistic nor is it needed to achieve climate targets according to the Paris agreement.The factsheet presents an analysis of nine global climate scenarios that achieve climate targets according to the Paris agreement as well as two non-target sc...read more

Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Environmental Unit Cost Lists

A Methodological Comparative Analysis

Ziel dieses Berichtes ist der Vergleich unterschiedlicher Methodiken, die in Listen oder Datenbanken von Umweltkosten (environmental unit costs) verwendet werden. Diese werden u.A. für Kosten-Nutzen-Analysen und Umwelt- oder Nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung genutzt. Die Analyse basiert auf einem Kernset von Listen und Datenbanken, das aus einer Sondierung des Umweltbundesamtes hervorging. Ergänzt...read more

Climate | Energy

Extension of the EU ETS to maritime transport

Key aspects of the revision of the ETS directive

This fact sheet gathers an overview of key aspects with regards to the extension of the EU ETS 1 to maritime transport and herewith related interactions with other EU, international and national policies concerning the shipping sector. An outlook with a view to evaluating and futher developing the system is also provided.The maritime EU ETS covers carbon dioxide emissions from 2024 onwards and fro...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

Alignment of the EU ETS 1 with the new EU climate target for 2030 and reform of the Market Stability Reserve (MSR 1)

With the 'Fit for 55' package, the EU's energy and climate policy instruments were aligned with the new climate target for 2030 (to reduce emissions by 55 % compared to 1990). One main feature of the Fit for 55 package is the strengthening of the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). This factsheet outlines the key aspects for the existing European Emissions Trading System for stationary ins...read more