Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Transport

Coping with the Energy Crisis through Efficiency and Sufficiency

Policy recommendations for easing oil and gas supply tensions in Germany

This short paper offers practical measures that could help to reduce the consumption of oil and gas as quickly as possible in order to secure the country’s energy supply, relieve the burden on consumers and at the same time contribute to combating climate change and enhancing sustainability. Chapter 3 in particular focuses on short-term measures that can easily be carried out within a few weeks an...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Cornerstones for a sustainable recovery program for Ukraine

Discussion paper

This discussion paper presents the German Environment Agency's (UBA) initial considerations for a sustainable recovery program for Ukraine. The following principles should apply to the design of a recovery program: Integration of environmental, sustainability and economic policies; resilience; sufficiency; socially just design of reconstruction; ownership; learning orientation; solidarity; use of...read more

Chemicals, Air, Water, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Towards sustainable plant protection

Evaluation of the draft regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products 2022/0196 (COD) with a focus on environmental protection

With the new draft regulation on the "Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products" (SUR), the European Commission is concretising the pesticide reduction target of 50% by 2030 stipulated in the Farm-to-Fork Strategy. The legally binding implementation of integrated pest management sets a new course for sustainable agriculture. However, for the success of practical implementation to contribute to...read more

Chemicals, Health, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Improving environmental protection in EU pharmaceutical legislation

Recommendations for reducing adverse environmental impacts from human pharmaceuticals

In preparation of the revision of Directive 2001/83/ EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, the German Environment Agency (UBA) proposes legal changes to reduce pharmaceutical residues in the environment. The proposals are based on UBA’s experiences as competent authority for the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pharmaceuticals. Our overall aim is to ensure a comprehensive risk management syste...read more

Luft

Review and revision of empirical critical loads of nitrogen for Europe

This report contains the scientific background to the review and revision of the empirical critical loads of nitrogen (CLempN) that had been established for Europe in 2011 under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. This review uses for the first time gradient studies to evaluate and determine the ClempN. The results, as presented in Table 1 of the Executive Summary, show...read more

Climate | Energy

Regulatory Framework for the Certification of Carbon Removals – Remarks on the EU Commission’s Roadmap

A brief assessment by the German Environment Agency

On 15.12.2021, the European Commission announces to create a legal framework in a communication on "Sustainable carbon cycles" according to which procedures for natural carbon sequestration and technical CO2 extraction and storage can be certified. By the end of 2022, the European Commission wants to make a legislative proposal.In this short position, the German Environment Agency points to gaps i...read more

Chemicals, Soil | Land

PROSOIL – Protection of soil organisms: Development of toxicity criteria for soil organisms in the framework of classification of substances and PBT assessment

The European ⁠CLP⁠ Regulation as well as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) only provide criteria for aquatic toxicity with regard to environmental hazards. Legal requirements for the use of terrestrial toxicity data are missing, although data from substance regulations (pesticides, pharmaceuticals, biocides or ⁠REACH⁠ chemicals) are available. The goal was to develop...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Water

Staying on course in a crisis - accelerating progress forward towards industrial decarbonisation!

Impacts of the Ukraine war on industry

Germany is an industrialised country with a strong production and export sector in the heart of Europe. However, German industry is dependent to varying degrees on imports of energy sources, raw materials and semi-finished products. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is having many consequences - from the break-up and rebuilding of previous supply chains to possible and already implemented...read more