Publications

This partial report shows decision-makers and interested parties the potential of the circular economy for greenhouse gas reduction in 2017 and for 2030 in Germany. Municipal waste, food waste and roughly commercial waste and construction and demolition waste are contemplated using the life cycle assessment method.

The aim of the project was to gain new insights into the effects of progestins and glucocorticoids on aquatic invertebrates, in particular water snails. For this, two medicinal substances for human use were tested, Dienogest and Dexamethasone.

Urban spaces are confronted with diverse competing uses. There is high development pressure on inner-city land, especially in growing municipalities.

In November 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation for a Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF).This proposal includes various provisions that would empower the Commission to adopt delegated acts. Delegated acts are intended to specify a number of provisions of the regulation.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) calls for the protection of surface and groundwater. For this purpose, the ten river basin communities in Germany draw up management plans and programmes of measures every six years.

OECD Test Guidelines (TG) are internationally standardized methods for testing chemicals. Industry, academia and authorities use the data collected with these methods for the evaluation of chemicals (such as industrial chemicals) with regard to their hazards to humans and the environment.

This report summarises key aspects that should be accounted for in the design of policy instruments to support the implementation of climate-friendly soil management measures. It outlines overarching aspects that need to be considered for any type of policy instruments. Furthermore, aspects that are relevant for all types of results-based funding schemes are elaborated upon.

This scientific opinion paper discusses the key topics of the European Commission’s Proposal for a Recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. It shows how the proposed changes could affect wastewater treatment in Germany and highlights further refinement needs.

Dietary changes towards healthier and more sustainable diets have been highlighted as one of the key strategies for simultaneously reducing the environmental pressures of the food system and the health risks of current dietary patterns. Although there is broad consensus on the long-term need for global dietary changes, much less information is available or accessible at the national level.

This scientific opinion paper outlines existing problems related to data gaps, non-harmonized assessments, insufficient post-market control, and data transparency of pharmaceuticals, and identifies possible solutions through the introduction of a monograph system for active pharmaceutical substances.

This paper presents the results of a multicountry survey on Covid-19-induced changes in consumption habits with a focus on nonessential material consumption and mobility behavior. The survey was carried out in Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States in early 2021.

More and more countries are already implementing or considering the introduction of carbon pricing as a key instrument in order to reduce greenhouse gases. In recent years, market-based instruments in the form of emissions trading systems or CO2 taxes have been established or are currently in the process of implementation in various regions of the world.