Publications
Publications
Further development of screening tests for the evaluation of potential PBT substances
Assessing the persistency of chemicals in general involves a stepwise approach. This includes cost effective and easy to conduct screening tests, that may lead to a need for more complex, lengthy and expensive tests which try to simulate conditions being more representative for the environmental compartments water, sediment and soil.
Using Article 6.2 to foster ambition
The research project explores how Germany can increase ambition by using carbon market approaches under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. This paper explores possible uses of Article 6.2 by Germany beyond the attainment of the EU-NDCs. The paper explores different options to use Art. 6.2 for compliance as well as voluntary purposes.
EU ETS: Detecting, preventing, and fighting money laundering in emissions trading
This is a EU-wide study on the detection of money laundering risks in the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). It is based on a survey of companies active in the Union Registry and their authorized representatives.
Methods and standards for assessing the repairability of electrical and electronic devices
The repair of for energy-related products is linked to several ecological, social and economic benefits. However, defective products are hardly ever repaired in practice. The project aims to make the repairability of energy-related products assessable in order to better inform consumers about the repairability of products at the time of purchase.
Sustainability Policy – Key to Stability, Security and Resilience
Ukraine War and Sustainability Policy
The following text elaborates on the necessities of a future sustainability and climate protection policy which goes beyond solution-finding due to the current crisis in Ukraine. In a first step, the interrelationships of the Ukraine crisis and global and national sustainability policies are analysed. Policy recommendations are developed on basis of the analysis in a second step.
Food web on ice - Investigation of the bioaccumulation of chemicals in an exemplary food chain
Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) have been derived in a variety of different aquatic eco-systems worldwide to investigate accumulation patterns of environmentally relevant chemicals. Not only is the TMF interesting for chemicals’ risk assessment related questions, but also for monitoring aspects under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD).
CCE Status Report 2022
This report describes activities by the Coordination Centre for Effects (CCE) since the CCE was transferred from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) to the German Environment Agency (UBA) in 2018.
Development of a bioaccumulation test using Hyalella azteca
A test concept for bioconcentration tests with the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca (HYBIT) was recently described. It was shown that the Hyalella bioconcentration factors (BCFs) derived for compounds with different hydrophobic characteristics (log Kow 2.4 – 7.8) show a strong correlation to those from fish tests.
Are substances more persistent than test systems lead to believe? Non-extractable residues: experimental examination of suitable extraction methods in view of a long-term risk for the environment
In transformation tests with organic substances in soil non-extractable residues (NER) are formed which remain there as residues. Some can be released again into the environment in the long-term and should be considered in the persistent assessment. Besides substances properties and soil characteristics the proportion of NER strongly depends on the extraction procedure.
Role of soils in climate change mitigation
Soils play a central role in climate mitigation. They are both as a carbon sink and a source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This report outlines the mitigation potential for GHG emissions of climate friendly soil management options at global, EU and German level.
Literature research for the review of ecotoxicological Critical Limits for heavy metals as a basis for the calculation of Critical Loads in the Geneva Air Convention
Seit 2005 nutzt die Genfer Luftreinhaltekonvention (CLRTAP) ökologische Belastungsgrenzen (Critical Loads) um Wirkungen von Schwermetallen auf die menschliche Gesundheit und auf Ökosysteme zu beurteilen. Dafür sind kritische Konzentrationen in Umweltmedien festgelegt, die sogenannten Critical Limits.
CBAM: Relevance of Foreign Trade and CO2 costs
This analysis is intended to contribute to classifying the effects of the introduction of the CBAM on the affected industrial sectors in Germany in relation to exports. It analyses the export intensity and the costs for the purchase of certificates compared to the average value of exports of the respective product group.