Publications

The study analyses which key trends in the economy and society influence the material foundations of prosperity in Germany. It also shows how the key trends represent both opportunities and risks for climate protection.

The study on environmental awareness in 2024 shows that protecting the environment and climate continues to be a high priority for the majority of people in Germany. However, the importance of this issue has decreased since 2022. Many consider the situation in the health and education sectors and economic development, for example, to be more urgent

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are one of the predominant groups of organic contaminants in the environment and in biota. Their persistence, along with their widespread use, has led to both diffuse contamination of the environment and a very large number of locally highly contaminated hot spots.

As a Party to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (⁠UNFCCC⁠), since 1994 Germany has been obliged to prepare, publish and regularly update national emission inventories of greenhouse gases.

This paper examines the integration of "Blue Carbon Ecosystems" (BCEs) such as mangroves and salt marshes into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Inventory Reports (NIRs). While developing countries are increasingly including BCEs in their NDCs, reporting in NIRs remains insufficient. Only seven countries account for BCE, with mangroves being the most commonly included.

Europe’s green transformation can only succeed if all regions are able to realize their full potential. Cohesion policy should continue to play a key role in this beyond 2027.

The European Union is at a cross-road with the chance to set our path towards a sustainable and just future for all Europeans. Cohesion Policy aims for social, economic and territorial cohesion in the European Union and is a core EU policy to bring the European Union to its citizens, increase their quality of life, while driving simultaneously the green transition.

The GreenTech Atlas 2025 demonstrates that the German GreenTech industry has since long established itself as a key industry withing the national economy. The industry provides stable employment and contributes significantly to value creation. In regards to foreign trade, the German GreenTech industry holds a strong position.

The report describes the state of knowledge and technology on current and future applications of advanced materials in the various technologies to support the energy transition. Based on a literature review, a systematic overview of applications of advanced materials for the generation, saving, storage and transportation of renewable energies and energy sources is presented.

Climate change is a major threat to ecosystems and livelihoods, requiring urgent cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Food systems, including crop and livestock production, contribute significantly to global emissions. Monocultures and intense farming worsen biodiversity loss, pollution, and water stress.

Aviation contributes approximately 2.5% of global CO2 emissions. When non-CO2 effects are taken into account, its overall climate impact is even higher. To mitigate these emissions, the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) is crucial. SAF, produced from sustainable feedstocks, can significantly reduce life-cycle emissions compared to fossil kerosene.

According to the approval under state aid law of the Carbon Leakage Ordinance of the Fuel Emission Trading Act (BECV) by the European Commission (State Aid SA.63191 (2023/N)), a comprehensive evaluation of the regulation is required by 2028.