Publications

This report assesses options for the effective implementation of sustainable development impact assessment, in the context of climate change mitigation mechanisms such as those of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. To ensure that these mechanisms contribute to sustainable development in the host country, it is necessary to measure this effect.

The input of plastics into the environment and the associated impact on ecosystems has received increasing public attention and has become part of the political agenda. Plastics can enter the environment in different ways. One important path of entry is littering, i.e. carelessly throwing away or leaving waste in public places.

The research project analysed and evaluated the current status of the use of climate protection projects from the CDM in the international carbon market.  Based on a maximum offer in the CDM of 4.6 billion emission credits (so-called CERs) for the years 2013-2020, a first analysis identified and quantified project types that are particularly dependent on the revenues from the CDM, i.e.

The end of 2020 marks a fundamental change in the global governance of greenhouse gas emissions with the shift from the Kyoto Protocol era to that of the Paris Agreement. This also has implications for the future role and the feasible models of the voluntary carbon market. A critical focus is whether and how 'double counting' of emission reductions is avoided.

The study analyses, under the perspective of the aims of the REACH Regulation, how the quality of registration dossiers could be improved. Starting point are empirical data, including those provided by ECHA, indicating that a relevant part of the registration dossiers does not meet the requirements set out in REACH.

PFAS -as group of substances- are becoming increasingly important in the treatment of contaminated sites and harmful soil changes.

Compared to the last study of 2016, the study on environmental awareness in Germany 2018 shows that the importance of environmental protection and climate action gained in significance in the eyes of the population. The expectations towards relevant actors seem to have increased as well.

In 2012, aviation was included in the EU ETS. In 2016, the ICAO also adopted a global measure to limit CO2 emissions from international aviation (CORSIA). The aim of the research project is to investigate the reciprocal effects between these two market-based instruments. In particular, several options how both could be optimally combined are considered.

Nanomaterials can have different or new properties in comparison with conventional chemicals and materials. Meanwhile the substance legislations was partially adapted by nano-specific provisions; for parts however adaptation needs still exist. As a result, specific environmental risks cannot be fully described and assessed as well as appropriate measures to minimize the risks cannot be taken.

This discussion paper assesses how robust accounting could be implemented under the Paris Agreement in order to avoid double counting between nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) implemented under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This discussion paper assesses how robust accounting could be implemented under the Paris Agreement in order to avoid double counting between nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) implemented under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This discussion paper assesses how robust accounting could be implemented under the Paris Agreement in order to avoid double counting between nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) implemented under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).