Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemikalien

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. Within the European authori...read more

Climate | Energy

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. It also discusses different types of climate-friendly soil management measures and key considerations for their implementation.read more

Waste | Resources

Illegal Treatment of End-of-Life Vehicles

Assessment of the environmental, micro- and macroeconomic effects

In Germany, the whereabouts of several 100,000 deregistered vehicles are unknown every year. There is some evidence, that a part of these end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are illegally dismantled or exported. In this study, the environmental impacts and environmental costs were quantified as well as the economic impacts and market distortions caused by the illegal dismantlers. In addition, the cost sit...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Air, Waste | Resources, Health, Water

Environmentally Harmful Subsidies in Germany

Update 2021

The report provides an overview of environmentally harmful subsidies in Germany and makes proposals for their reform or reduction. It focuses on subsidies that have a negative impact on the environmental goods climate, air, soil, water, biodiversity and landscape, as well as on health and the consumption of raw materials. The report analyzes subsidies and their environmental impacts in the areas o...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Air, Waste | Resources, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters, Digitalisation

The Use of Natural Resources. Resources Report for Germany 2022

Resources Report for Germany 2022

Germany made a commitment to the conservation of natural resources through the Resource Efficiency Programme (ProgRess). The German Environment Agency supports the implementation of ProgRess through a range of measures, including the production of this report on the use of natural resources in Germany, which is being published for the third time after 2016 and 2018. The report analyses new figures...read more

Transport

Further development of public transport in and after the pandemic

German case study

The coronavirus pandemic and the increased use of digital formats that it has triggered is resulting in changes in public transport. Fear of infection and changed work conditions caused demand to drop in 2020/2021 in Germany. Measures such as the 9-euro ticket have proven that it takes innovative approaches to make public transport more attractive.This study investigates the changes in demand for...read more

Climate | Energy

The EU CBAM and a climate club: synergies and potential obstacles for full integration

This discussion paper analyses potential synergies between climate clubs and CBAMs. It presents a case study of the concrete proposals currently debated for implementation: 1) the EU CBAM which looks set to be adopted by the EU Council and Parliament later this year and 2) the proposal for a climate club that was adopted by the G7 at their summit in June 2022. Chapter 2 introduces the two instrume...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

Weathering the gas crisis through climate change mitigation

Policy recommendations on gas, hydrogen and climate change mitigation for the Federal Government in autumn 2022

The following policy recommendations for the Federal Government will secure the supply of gas for the winter of 2022 and beyond, without sacrificing climate protection goals. Key findings in the second chapter to make liquefied natural gas a transitional solution and to ensure that the supply of gas is as environmentally friendly as possible are to make more efficient use of the gas pipeline infra...read more