Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy

Sustainability criteria for carbon dioxide removals

Requirements for sustainability criteria in the EU CRCF proposal and elements to be included in a delegated act

In November 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation for a Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). The principles laid out in the CRCF proposal of the European Commission and the proposed amendments by Council and European Parliament set minimum sustainability criteria. They are vague and require specification into executable criteria for certification. This rep...read more

Climate | Energy

Analysis of the role of Article 6 in Parties’ NDCs

This fact sheet surveys the role of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (PA) in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that Parties have submitted to the UNFCCC. The findings indicate that there is in general considerable openness towards Article 6, with the intention to buy ITMOs or A6.4ERs being much more limited than to sell such units. The distribution between sellers vs. buyers largely r...read more

Climate | Energy

Lessons Learned from the Kyoto Mechanisms for the Article 6.4 Mechanism

The report summarizes key lessons learned from the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) for the new Article 6.4 mechanism of the Paris Agreement. The report first provides an overview of the issuance and use of carbon credits under these mechanisms. This is followed by an assessment of what elements of the existing mechanisms could be transferred to the...read more

Climate | Energy

Adapting CDM methodologies for use under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

This study assesses whether existing international carbon market methodologies for determination of additionality and baselines and monitoring, particularly those from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), can be adjusted to transition to the Article 6.4 mechanism. CDM methodologies need to be modified to align with the more rigorous requirements of Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement. Different o...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Mobile Work in the future

Climate Protection Opportunities and Risks

In the future, more and more people will probably no longer work in the office at the company's location or public institution, but from home, on business trips or in co-working spaces. What will the mobile working world look like in the future? What will happen to traditional office spaces? How will private spaces change? Where will people settle in the future? Which consumer products and service...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

From quantum computing to the future of inner cities and a new world order

Results of the second Horizon Scanning cycle for the Environment Department published

In the second horizon scanning process of the environment department, the following ten emerging future topics have been identified and elaborated that could be of high environmental relevance:Quantum computingCryptocurrenciesTechnological innovations on the way to climate-friendly air transportNew regionalismResilience as the basis of a sustainable societyMobile workGrowing through crises: The EU...read more

Climate | Energy, Transport

Climate Impact of Aviation

Scientific knowledge, Developments and Measures

Aviation affects the climate. Combustion of kerosene fuel results in carbon dioxide (CO2), but also other climate-impacting substances whose effects are referred to as "non-CO2 climate effects". What are these substances and how strong are their effects? How strong would the climate impact of air traffic be in the future if flying continues to grow as hitherto? How can the impact of air traffic on...read more

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