Publications | Umweltbundesamt

Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Shaping environmental policy in a citizen- friendly manner

How behavioural science findings can make environmental-policy instruments more effective How behavioural science findings can make environmental-policy instruments more effective

Which factors are relevant for environmental decisions? How can people be motivated to act in an environmentally responsible manner and how can environmentally harmful routines be broken down? This publication provides answers to these questions and uses the latest findings from psychology, cognitive science and behavioral economics. An essential part of the publication is a checklist for the deve...read more

Chemicals

Bundling of Expertise in the area of Sustainable Chemistry: Conceptualization and Establishment of an International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre

With this project the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) and the corre-sponding International Sustainable Chemistry Network (ISCnet) for experts and stakeholders were established at a conference in May 2017. Objectives, tasks and a concept of the centre were developed in cooperation with international experts. From a thematic perspective, the holistic concept of Sustai...read more

Chemicals

Clarification of methodical questions regarding the investigation of nanomaterials in the environment

Development of a decision support tool for the investigation of nanomaterial’s environmental behaviour based on dispersion behaviour and dissolution in relation to various environmental parameters

For an adequate and valid interpretation of data regarding the environmental fate and behavior of nanomaterials it is essential to describe parameters like dissolution (rate), dispersibility and dispersion stability. Aim of the project was the development of a standardized test method to determine dispersibility and dispersion stability of nanomaterials in simulated environmental media as new OECD...read more

Chemicals

Answers to frequently asked questions to Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)

In May 2013 the chemical hexabromocyclododecane, or HBCD, was identified as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) under the international Stockholm Convention. This means that a worldwide ban on the sale and application of the chemical will soon become effective. For a long time HBCD was the most economically significant flame retardant used in polystyrene foam for insulation materials. We have com...read more

Economy | Consumption

Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainable Supply Chain Management

Many smaller and medium-sized companies, like larger companies, are already engaging with social responsibility in their business practices. At the same time, they are being asked to live up to their social reponsibilities when it comes to their supply chains and are motivated to do so, as supply chains are the origin of a large share of environmental impacts. Supply chains also hold great potenti...read more

Chemicals

Considerations about the relationship of nanomaterial’s physical-chemical properties and aquatic toxicity for the purpose of grouping

Based on the variety of existing nanomaterials with numerous modifications, the effort of investigating environmental fate and effects will be tremendous. Hence, it will be necessary to group nanomaterials which feature similar environmental fate and effects.  Therefore, the project objective was to correlate physical-chemical data with ecotoxicological effects for selected nanomaterials and to de...read more

Climate | Energy, Transport

Climate Protection in Transport – Need for Action in the Wake of the Paris Climate Agreement

Report as part of the project Klimaschutzbeitrag des Verkehrs 2050 (Climate Change Mitigation in Transport until 2050)

Transport is not only an indispensable part of our daily lives, but also one of the major sources of greenhouse gases in Germany. What can be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport in the short- and mid-term? How can transport become greenhouse gas-neutral in the long term? Are Germany’s climate targets in the transport sector sufficiently ambitious? This paper answers these questi...read more

Chemicals

Use of PFOS in chromium plating – Characterisation of closed-loop systems, use of alternative substances

PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) is a persistent organic pollutant. Its use has been strictly restricted by the Stockholm Convention and EU POP Regulation. In the EU, the use of PFOS is still permitted for “non-decorative hard chromium (VI) plating in closed loop systems” in the plating industry, as a specific exemption. With the aim of minimizing PFOS-emissions into the environment, this proje...read more