Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Waste | Resources

Promoting the high-quality recycling of plastics from demolition waste and enhancing the use of recycled materials in construction products in accordance with the European Plastics Strategy

This study presents in detail: the use of plastic products and the opportunities for recyclate use in the construction sector, quantities of plastic used, take-back systems, recycling techniques, current recyclate use and plastic construction product packaging.Potentials for increasing high-quality recyclate use were identified. Existing hurdles and options for action for industry and politics are...read more

Climate | Energy

Advancing multilateral cooperation on climate action

Ideas for new initiatives across four policy areas and how to use existing international venues as stepping stones

Multilateral initiatives and cooperation can be effective means to increase ambition and action to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. This synthesis report summarizes the proposals for new initiatives in four policy fields – energy transition, synthetic e-fuels, sustainable food systems and forest protection. It further analyses interactions, synergies and trade-offs between the policy fiel...read more

Klima | EnergieWirtschaft | Konsum

Contribution to the discussion on the evaluation of Carbon Capture and Utilisation

Under Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) we summarise all relevant technologies for capturing, transport, and the subsequent utilisation of carbon. In the promising perspective CCU seems to reduce emissions by substitution of fossil products. For the evaluation we have to apply a more holistic view on these technologies and especially their energy consumption. In order to clarify the role of CCU...read more

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption

Climate cost modelling

Analysis of damage and mitigation frameworks and guidance for political use

Monetizing climate costs is an important instrument to highlight the benefits of climate protection. This research report presents and compares the damage cost and the mitigation cost approaches. Both approaches are fundamentally different and for different questions either the one or the other gives the conceptionally correct answer. The report shows the basic procedures, crucial modelling approa...read more

Chemicals, Economy | Consumption, Health

Harmonised VOC Emission Classes for Construction Products

A Tool to Achieve Healthy Buildings

This documentation summarises the presentations and the discussions of the international online conference "Limiting Health Impacts of Construction Products regarding Volatile Organic Compounds" organised by the German Environment Agency in April 2021.The conference presented the current status of harmonisation activities on the topic of construction product emissions as well as a concrete proposa...read more

Klima | Energie

Climate Impact and Risk Assessment 2021 for Germany (Summary)

This executive summary presents shortly the contents of the six sub-reports of the "Climate Impact and Risk Analysis 2021 for Germany", for which 102 climate impacts and 13 fields of action were investigated and assessed. The methodology and the basics of the projections as well as the generic adaptation capacity are addressed. The most important results for all 13 fields of action are presented....read more

Waste | Resources

Recommendations for the Revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 1994/62/EG

Suggestions for Strengthening Circular Economy

Over the past 10 years, the amount of packaging generated across the EU has increased by almost 18 percent, with around 66 percent of packaging waste being recycled. The revision of the Packaging Directive should therefore primarily help to strengthen waste prevention, the recyclability of packaging and the use of recyclates and further develop information requirements. Material requirements shoul...read more

Climate | Energy

The Mexican Emission Trading System and the Electricity Market

Influence of market structures and market regulation on the carbon market

Electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in many countries. Most emissions trading systems (ETS) therefore address emissions from electricity generation. The de-sign of an ETS and the structure and regulation of the electricity sector have a large impact on the environmental effectiveness and the quality of the carbon price signal. This report analyses the potential...read more