Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Chemicals

Refinement of the P assessment of ionisable substances: Distribution and degradation of anionic, neutral and cationic organic chemicals in water-sediment systems

The criteria for the assessment of ⁠PBT substances were developed for neutral organic substances. Many chemicals are, however, charged under environmentally relevant pH conditions. The influence of a charge in molecule on its potential to degrade in the environment is unclear and therefore the research question of this project. The results show that especially a positive charge can strongly influe...read more

Climate | Energy

Climate Risk Assessments at the Municipal Level

Recommendations for the Implementation of ISO 14091

In view of the ever-increasing progress of climate change, the importance of climate risk assessments is growing. They play a major role at the municipal level in particular (cities, distriscts, municipalities), because it is here that precautionary action must take place in the face of the dangers of the climate crisis. The recommendations in this papier provide support for the preparation and im...read more

Climate | Energy

Rebasing the Cap and strengthening the Market Stability Reserve in the EU ETS until 2030

The EU Commission has proposed to reduce emissions in the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) by 61 % up to 2030. Apart from the cap, the market stability reserve (MSR) regulates supply and scarcity on the carbon market. This report looks at different options to rebase the cap and to adjust the MSR parameters. It analyses the effects on total allowance supply and on the total number of allo...read more

Water

Together for a healthy Baltic Sea!

The Action Plan of the Helsinki Commission

Animals and plants should be better protected and habitats be restored. Main environmental pressures in the Baltic Sea such as excess nutrients, contaminants, marine litter, underwater noise and the impacts of fishing and other activities at sea are to be further reduced.The ten-year plan, which the environment ministers of the Baltic Sea countries and the European Union adopted in Lübeck (Germany...read more

Climate | Energy, Noise

Noise effects of the use of land-based wind energy

Wind turbines are important for a sustainable energy supply. Noise from these turbines is often discussed in politics, the media and the public. Amplitude-modulated noise, which is perceived as " whooshing ", is also a topic of discussion. The aim of this research project is to investigate the generation of amplitude-modulated noise and its influence on noise perception of the residents living nea...read more

Chemicals

Development of a chemical analysis concept for substances derived from coal and petroleum stream

Identification and quantification of PetCo constituents/constituent groups by means of comprehensive chromatographic analysis

Petroleum and coal (PetCo) based substances are usually of complex composition. This makes their analytical characterisation challenging. The aim of this project was to develop an analytical concept to be applied on a selection of five PetCo products, to identify those constituents or constituent groups that might be of concern for the environment and human health. Three analytical platforms were...read more

Climate | Energy, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Guidelines for conflict-sensitive adaptation to climate change

Final Report

This report offers a stocktaking of conflict sensitivity and adaptation in theory and practice. While the actual guide for conflict-sensitive adaptation stands for itself, this publication provides the basis by identifying key design elements of a guide on conflict-sensitive adaptation through a review of existing guides on conflict sensitivity in general and how adaptation to climate change is or...read more

Air

Considerations on the Revision of the Air Quality Directive 2008/50 EU

Air quality projections, protection of ecosystems, assessment methods, monitoring concept

In preparation for the upcoming revision the German Environment Agency (UBA) from a scientific point of view has assessed the possibility to meet the proposed WHO Guidelines Levels, the applicability of improved chemical transport models and advanced monitoring methods for air quality assessment as well as concepts for a better protection of ecosystems from air pollutants. In the following we prop...read more