Straight carrots with fresh green leaves, flawless apples, heads of broccoli that are all the same size – these things may look pretty in the supermarket, but they are detrimental to the environment and, to some extent, to us as consumers. We explain why in this issue of "UBA aktuell". We also cover UBA's stance on the controversial debate surrounding the inclusion of nuclear power and fossil gas in the EU taxonomy for defining sustainable investments. We share some interesting figures with you from the past year and information on current changes in legislation and dates for the new year.
Wishing you an interesting read,
The Press Office of the German Environment Agency
Fruit & vegetables: Food retail specifications put an unnecessary burden on the environment and the climate
Broccoli heads that are too small are often not accepted from farmers because the food retailer has strict specifications for weight and size. Apples that are healthy and tasty, but do not look perfect, are usually not sold because of specifications for their appearance. Kohlrabi, radishes and carrots are sold with fresh green leaves in the supermarket, even though this causes the vegetables to wilt more quickly and the leaves are usually already discarded in the shop. Such retail specifications concerning the appearance and size of fruit and vegetables go beyond the legal requirements and place an unnecessary burden on the environment and the climate: in many cases, more pesticides and fertilisers have to be used and the fruit and vegetables that do not fulfill the specifications are either put to secondary use, but often ploughed under or otherwise disposed of.
"The legal requirements are sufficient for ensuring high-quality food. The industry does not need to amend this unnecessarily," says UBA President Dirk Messner. In cooperation with the consumer associations, UBA has presented proposals on what changes should be made to the trade specifications for fruit and vegetables. For example, fruit and vegetables should always be sold by weight and not by the piece. Any specifications for size, uniformity and appearance that go beyond the legal marketing standards should be abolished.
Not only would this benefit the environment and the climate, but also the producers, who could sell a higher proportion of their fruits and vegetables and save on costs by using less fertiliser and pesticides. Consumers benefit from the fact that carrots and kohlrabis supplied without leaves stay fresh longer and smaller cabbages are on offer, for example for single households. Supermarkets and customer magazines should also provide information on why fruit and vegetables that may not look perfect are nevertheless tasty and healthy, and how buying them can help to reduce resource consumption and food waste.
The European Commission’s draft delegated act to include fossil gas and nuclear power in the EU Taxonomy would prevent the Taxonomy from being an effective transparency tool for the financial markets, the German Environment Agency says. The draft labels as “sustainable” a large amount of GHG emissions from fossil gas, and nuclear power producing high-level nuclear waste.
In a joint recommendation, three German higher federal authorities paint draw a picture of how the development of safe and sustainable novel advanced materials can be controlled and regulated. The paper deals with the aspects of risk assessment, sustainaability and control with regard to good governance and outlines relevant fields of action.
Building materials such as bituminous sheeting, roofing tiles, exterior rendering and plastered facades can release harmful substances into the environment during the building phase, says a new study by the German Environment Agency (UBA). The good news is that pollutant leaching from building envelopes can be prevented almost entirely with little effort.
In a study for the German Environment Agency, a research team from Öko-Institut and Ecologic Institute has examined the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) for global climate action and international climate policy. The results show that their potential to mitigate emissions is probably overestimated in the literature. Nevertheless, NbS can bring various benefits and should be promoted actively.
Climatic twin cities in Europe
Analysis of climate data shows that the climates of every region in Germany have already shifted, with many now experiencing a climate that was found 100 to 600 km further to the southwest 50 years ago. read more (in German)
New issue of “Energy Performance in Numbers” published
How much progress has Germany made towards its goal of halving its energy consumption by 2050? How are individual sectors such as transport or private households faring? And what do investments in improved energy performance mean for the economy and employment? You can read about this and more in the latest issue of the brochure "Energieeffizienz in Zahlen". read more (in German)
Making federal transport infrastructure planning environment- and climate-friendly
How can environmentally oriented and cross-modal financing and organisation of transport infrastructure be implemented at the federal level? With GUIDE, the German Environment Agency presents a complete approach to developing federal transport infrastructure planning and meeting requirements for the protection of the environment and the climate. The final report and workshop videos are now available. read more (in German)
Environmental impact increases with higher income
As income increases, so too does environmental damage, e.g. through higher greenhouse gas emissions, greater land consumption or increased water consumption - this was the finding of a recent study by the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA). Increasing mobility and growing living space are the main drivers of this development. read more (in German)
Material inventories and registers: Recycling management in the construction sector
Resource-saving, climate-friendly, and recycling-friendly construction practices require a better foundation of information. Material inventories for buildings and material registers for entire regions can provide and structure this information and maintain it over the decades-long life cycle of buildings. Both instruments should be used more extensively in future. read more (in German)
PRTR: Greater transparency through improved reporting
The scope of reporting to the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) needs to be expanded and its quality improved. The objective is to provide the public with more transparent and reliable environmental information. A research project conducted on behalf of the UBA has identified a wide range of optimisation options. read more (in German)
The share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption will decline in 2021 – from 45.3 percent in 2020 back down to a level similar to 2019 of around 42 percent. While total electricity consumption increased, five percent less electricity was generated from renewable sources than in the previous year due to weather conditions.
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) generated 5.3 billion euros for Germany through auctioning in 2021, a sum double that in 2020. An additional 7.2 billion euros was generated through sales of certificates in the new national emissions trading system (nEHS), which came into effect in 2021 and targets the heat and transport sectors.
Germany emitted 728.7 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2020. This is around 71 million tonnes or 8.9% less than in 2019, and 41.3% less compared to 1990, according to the results of final calculations submitted by the German Environment Agency (UBA) to the European Commission. Emissions have fallen most significantly in the energy sector.
Sales volumes of plant protection products (pesticides) in the agricultural sector remain high, says data from the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL). After a temporary decline in sales in 2018/2019, farmers demonstrated greater demand for specific problematic active substances, including insecticides that are dangerous to bees and herbicides critical to groundwater.
Ten winners received the German Ecodesign Award 2021 today. The award went to a very diverse set of innovative projects, ranging from personal care products one can mix at home, a school building with a climate-positive energy balance, mail order that does without packaging waste, to giving old fur a new life.
Effective immediately, businesses of all sizes from all sectors, designers and students can submit their projects to apply for the award. The award targets creative design ideas and projects which also meet the highest ecological demands. The application deadline is 18 April 2022.
National Emissions Trading System: 2021 report online
Germany's national emissions trading system (nEHS) was launched in 2021, and with it CO₂ pricing in the heating and transport sectors. The first report from the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) on the sale of nEHS allowances in Germany for the reporting year 2021 is now available online. Altogether, around 7.2 billion euros were generated through the sale of these allowances. read more (in German)
Applications are accepted starting today for the Blauer Kompass, Germany’s highest state award for climate change adaptation projects. The application deadline is 25 March 2022.
Tips from and for municipalities: Pest control & building protection
Some municipalities are already testing ideas for pest management and material protection that can help reduce the use of biocidal chemicals and hence their impact on biodiversity. A project was undertaken in municipalities to investigate which ideas can be successfully applied in practice. The brochure prepared for the project provides practical tips to try out. read more (in German)
Environment internationally
New indicator for pesticide pollution in European waters
The European Environment Agency has released a new indicator on pesticide pollution in Europe's waters. This indicator has shown that pesticide concentrations in many surface waters as well as in groundwater are too high. Germany's results are also high. The data base is comprised of the data reported by the European countries on the state of the environment. read more (in German)
Law & Legislation
Changes to the Packaging Act as of 1 January 2022
The mandatory deposit for disposable beverage containers was extended at the beginning of the new year. Plastic bags have also been banned from retail outlets and the recycling quotas for packaging waste have been raised. The German Environment Agency welcomes the changes as another step towards a circular economy and waste reduction. Disposable packaging in general must be limited even further and more reusable packaging must be used. read more (in German)
Electrical equipment: More collection points and better information
The amended Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) is effective from 1 January 2022: New collection points for waste electrical and electronic equipment, better information for consumers and uniform collection point logos will further simplify the collection of waste equipment. For example, starting 1 July 2022, most discount grocery stores will also be required to collect waste equipment. read more (in German)
Economic viability of new rooftop photovoltaic systems at risk
Without changes to legislation, the construction of new rooftop photovoltaic systems is at risk of becoming uneconomical from mid-2022. This poses a threat to the success of the energy transition. It is therefore imperative that the federal legislator revise the mechanism for reducing feed-in tariffs and introduce a remuneration bonus for rooftop photovoltaic systems that supply all of the electricity generated to the grid. read more (in German)
Noise impact of drones: Measurements and regulations needed
Drones – unmanned aerial vehicles – are increasingly being used for a variety of tasks. The sounds they generate can be disturbing to people. In order to prevent negative impacts, more detailed measurements and the expansion of legal regulations are necessary. A research project conducted on behalf of the UBA makes proposals for this. read more (in German)
For the sixth time the publishing house Matthes & Seitz Berlin is awarding the German Prize for Nature Writing in cooperation with the German Environment Agency and the Stiftung Kunst und Natur. The competition is under the patronage of President Dirk Messner of the German Environment Agency. Author entries will be accepted until 6 March 2022.
Scholarship from the German Environment Agency, Bauhaus Dessau Foundation and Kulturpark e.V. for artists cooperating with scientists and contemporary witnesses
UBA once again confirmed as a family-friendly employer
The German Environment Agency's renewed award of the "audit berufundfamilie" certificate shows that it is possible to work at the UBA and take good care of your family at the same time. read more (in German)
7000 years
The artist Joseph Beuys would have turned 100 in 2021. To mark this occasion, an artistic event took place in the German Environmental Specimen Bank, where thousands of environmental specimens are archived, which was documented by the artist Nina Kuttler in two video clips. read more (in German)
In the project, it was determined that approximately 1000 plants for chromium plating and pickling of plastics are operated in Germany, in which PFOS has been mainly substituted by 6:2 FTS. Many process alternatives already exist for the use of wetting agents or Cr(VI). The results of the project can be used, among others, for the reporting obligations under the POPs Regulation and the exchange on…
Identifying drivers of emission trends between 2005 and 2018
Based on a methodological approach developed by Branger und Quirion (2015), the authors analyse the drivers governing the development of CO2 emissions from cement production from 2005 to 2018 for the EU28 as a whole and selected EU countries using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) decomposition method. At the EU28 level, CO2 emissions declined from 150 MtCO2 in 2005 to 120 MtCO2 in 2018…
The report describes the considerations, essential steps and organisational aspects of the development of the OECD Test Guideline for the determination of particle size and particle size distributions of nanomaterials. It gives furthermore insights into the selection, preparation and pre-validation of test materials used in an interlaboratory comparison and presents the results of this…
This report provides in-depth insights into the factors influencing emissions trading in the European carbon market and potential economic impacts on the market structure, based on three analyses: (i) a legal analysis of the various changes in EU financial market regulation, and their potential impact on actors in the European carbon market; (ii) an empirical analysis of actors in the EU-ETS, and…
Electricity generation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in many countries. Most emissions trading systems (ETS) therefore capture emissions from electricity generation. The design of an ETS and the structure and regulation of the electricity sector have a major impact on the environmental effectiveness and quality of the carbon price signal. This project identified the impact of…
Assessment of their global mitigation potential and recommendations for international climate policy
This study examines the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) for global climate protection and in international climate policy. It provides a critical assessment of global mitigation potentials of NbS in forests, croplands, grasslands, terrestrial and coastal wetlands, and settlements and provides recommendations for international climate policy such as under UNFCCC. The results show that the…
The European Non-Financial Reporting Directive requires certain large undertakings to disclose sustainability-related information. The Directive is currently being revised and renamed to Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). One of the main innovations of the European Commission’s proposal for the CSRD is the development of uniform European Sustainability Reporting Standards. This…
Considerations from the joint perspective of the German Higher Federal Authorities BAuA, BfR and UBA
Advanced materials have the potential to provide technical solutions for pressing global challenges, i.e. for energy revolution, digitalisation, or health care. However, it is currently difficult to derive which advanced materials will be actually used in the future and to what extent the existing legal frameworks or other measures are suitable to address their safety as well as other aspects of…
Effective policies to mitigate climate change need to be accompanied by a socially just transition. Based on experiences of past and ongoing transition policies in coal regions in Europe and with indications to the specificity of framework conditions and challenges and to the potential effectiveness and transferability of approaches, this paper presents lessons learnt which can be inspirational…
Considering the importance of national climate change mitigation scenarios for ambitious climate change mitigation policies, a profound understanding of national concepts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and of the underlying measures is crucial. This report summarises the results of a research project which scrutinises climate change mitigation scenarios from six EU member states and…
Over the past decades, human consumption of pharmaceuticals has steadily increased. It is known that their growing use is leading to detectable levels in all environmental compartments, conceivably causing harm to ecosystems. To organize the huge amount of information caused by the global environmental exposure situation, UBA initiated this project to collect all these data within one publicly…
The COVID 19 pandemic hit Europe in 2020. Government restrictions and voluntary changes in consumption and mobility behaviour led to a sharp decline in mainly non-essential activities. Economic stimulus measures were taken to support the economy. The document delivers findings on the territorial impacts and drivers of the pandemic for the Alpine Space, as well as insights from the four pilot…
The final report describes the execution and outcomes of a series of three thematic conferences which aimed to pave the way for an international exchange on challenges of advanced materials for chemical safety and sustainability. These conferences discussed the heterogeneity of the field, possibilities to cluster the world of advanced materials but also proposals to identify those advanced…
This document presents central messages and recommendations for successfully shaping structural change towards a Green Economy. The document is a result oft he RFEOPLAN-project „Ökologischer Strukturwandel“ (FKZ 3716 14 101 0). Its intended audience are experts and interested laypersons. In addition to general information regarding ecological structural change, especially the automotive industry…
With this paper the state of research on the joint implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement is analysed. Factors that negatively influence the development of effective solutions are included. Criteria for assessing policy integration are elaborated, as well as practical categories of integration (cognitive capacity development, inter-institutional…
Climate Change
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As recounted
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Around 1.5 million tonnes of road salt are used on German roads every year. In harsh winters, it can sometimes reach more than 4 million tonnes. Road salt is extremely harmful to trees and other plants, animals, water bodies, vehicles, and structures. Every year, the cost of the damage is high.
