The European chemicals regulation REACH is intended to contribute to a more sustainable chemistry. A current UBA report provides a systematic analysis on the relations between main elements of REACH (e.g. Registration or Information in the supply chain) and main elements of sustainable chemistry (e.g. substitution of hazardous substances or corporate social responsibility of companies). read more
REACH and sustainable chemistry
ERGO: EU research project on hormonally active substances
The ERGO (EndocRine Guideline Optimisation) project aims to improve the identification and regulation of hormonally active substances (endocrine disruptors). It will be shown to what extent the effects of endocrine disruptors in mammals can be extrapolated to non-mammals and vice versa. The thyroid hormone system will be used as the basis for the investigations. read more
Environmental & climate protection for crisis-proof value chains
This is the message of a virtual panel discussion hosted by OECD, UBA and UNEP in the context of current debates on the vulnerability of global value chains to crises and the legal regulation of human rights and environmental due diligence. The discussion focused on the need to better dovetail environmental protection and respect for human rights. read more
An estimated 310,000 vehicles with unknown whereabouts
In Germany, some 560,000 end-of-life vehicles arose in 2018. Recycling of these vehicles complied with the European recycling and recovery targets, yet the whereabouts of around 310,000 vehicles are unknown. UBA therefore recommends the introduction of minimum requirements for vehicle registration systems in respect of deregistration of vehicles. read more
Emissions trading: German installations generated 14 percent less CO2 emissions in 2019
The 2019 emissions of the roughly 1,850 stationary installations in Germany recorded in the European Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) amounted to around 363 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq). This is a 14-percent decrease compared to the previous year. read more
Emerge more sustainable from the coronavirus pandemic
The German Environment Agency (UBA) has presented a plan on how to design the coronavirus stimulus packages to target environmental protection. "Environmental protection and climate action have been high on the political agenda in recent times and both will remain of major importance after the coronavirus crisis. We should be wary about losing sight of these acute problems as we restart the economy. The restart can only be viable for the future if the funding is used to drive a transformation to a sustainable and climate-neutral society. Investing in obsolete technologies and structures would aggravate the environmental crisis, prevent innovation, slow our competitiveness and put our implementation of the Paris Agreement a long way off," said UBA's President Dirk Messner. Originally presented in May the plan is now available in English. read more
Climate change has an impact on the safety of installations
Sources of natural hazards, such as heavy rainfall, flooding, winter storms or lightning, can cause major accidents. Climate change can change the intensity, frequency and local distribution of such sources of hazards. Operators of installations in which large quantities of hazardous substances are present and the authorities responsible for them must therefore adapt their risk management. read more
New blog: Corona Sustainability Compass (CSC)
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