Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Climate | Energy

Background Paper: Methodology and criteria for assessing multilateral initiatives to close the global 2030 climate ambition and action gap

Staying within the limit of the Paris Agreement of 1.5 °C global warming requires closing the global 2030 ambition and action gap arising from insufficient current policies and contributions. This background paper documents the methodology and criteria for assessing multilateral initiatives of the G20 countries in four policy fields. In four steps and with the use of twelve criteria and further in...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Data on the Environment

Environmental monitor 2020

With the indicator report "Data on the Environment – Environmental Monitor 2020", the German Environment Agency provides a condensed picture of the state of the environment, the causes of environmental pollution and starting points for improved policy action. For this purpose, a total of 30 important environmental indicators were selected and, where available, underpinned with existing political g...read more

Chemicals

Assessment of the Authorisation Process under REACH

The authorisation process is a central instrument of ⁠REACH⁠, aiming at reducing risks from the use of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). The goal is a stepwise elimination of such substances from the market with the option to grant temporary exemptions. The authorisation process comprises the identification of SVHCs for the candidate list, prioritisation Annex XIV, applications...read more

Climate | Energy

System comparison of storable energy carriers from renewable energies

An essential prerequisite for a sustainable energy supply and greenhouse gas neutrality in Germany and worldwide is the complete conversion of the energy supply to renewable energies. Wind and sun are the sources with the greatest supply potential. However, these energy sources have a low energy density and are not uniformly available everywhere to the same extent. Therefore, a system is needed fo...read more

Water

Third assessment of the eutrophication status of German coastal and marine waters 2006 – 2014 in the North Sea according to the OSPAR Comprehensive Procedure

The project conducted the third application of the ⁠OSPAR⁠ Common Procedue for the assessment of the eutrophication status of the German coastal and marine waters of the North Sea, based on data from 2009-2014. The assessment results were also used in the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive for descriptor 5 “eutrophication”. The project thereby provided decision...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Acting Globally

International activities of the German Environment Agency

A new brochure summarises UBA's commitment at the European and international level. Whether it is protecting the climate, dealing with growing mountains of waste or the health hazards posed by toxic chemicals - no nation can address these major issues alone. With its activities in international and European environmental agreements, programmes, networks and partnerships, UBA is working on the puls...read more

Climate | Energy

Effects of ground-level ozone on vegetation modified by nitrogen and components of climate change: a literature study

Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant that causes risks to human health and vegetation. This literature study summarises results of experiments, in which the effects of ozone on plants has been investigated in combination with factors of climate change, enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide in the air as well as nitrogen deposition. The results are needed for a sound risk assessment for plants...read more

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Widening the European Green Deal’s perspective towards a sustainable Europe

Aiming higher - with the right levers of change

The European Green Deal, published by the European Commission in 2019, represents a new and ambitious approach to put environment and sustainability at the heart of European policy. Its ambitions are high, yet the planned measures might not be sufficient to actually meet them. The report analyzes the European Green Deal from the perspective of the German Environment Agency and places it in the con...read more