Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 2/2021 | Umweltbundesamt

State of the Environment 2020: UBA draws mixed results

The UBA Environmental Monitor 2020 shows at a glance: Much is to be done to protect the environment. Source: Studio Good / Umweltbundesamt

What is the state of the environment in Germany? This question is answered by the recently published UBA Environmental Monitor 2020. It illustrates ten central topics from climate, water and air to energy and transport, each with three key indicators. 

The results are quite mixed: There have been recent improvements in air quality or greenhouse gases, while other indicators are not performing well. For instance, on the subject of water, the Environmental Monitor shows "red" in all three indicators. Only seven percent of the rivers are in a good ecological condition. This means that the target of the ⁠Water Framework Directive⁠ has been missed by a considerable margin. In the case of groundwater, the threshold value for nitrate is still exceeded at almost every sixth measuring point. The cause is the high nitrogen input from agriculture. There is also a need for action in the area of transport. The targets of the German Sustainability Strategy for reducing final energy consumption in transport were clearly missed. 

German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner: "Short-term improvements such as the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions should not blind us to the considerable need for action to protect the environment."

New energy label for electrical appliances

There are new energy labels for some electrical appliances, initially for televisions, dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators with effect from 1 March 2021. The energy performance is now displayed again on a scale from A to G. Efficiency differences are therefore easier to identify. In addition, eco-design requirements apply, which enable these products to be repaired more easily. read more (in German)

‘Less is more - also when it comes to spring cleaning’.

Various substances from cleaning agents are released into the environment via wastewater and pollute ecosystems. Tips for environmentally friendly spring cleaning from UBA expert Marcus Gast. read more (in German) 

Nine recommendations for the good quality standard for our waters

Germany's waters are not in a good condition. Only a small proportion of rivers and lakes meet the environmental targets required by the European Water Framework Directive. More measures are required to achieve these targets. The position paper contains nine recommendations that contribute to restoring the ‘good condition’ of our waters. read more (in German) 

Facts and figures on coal: Status quo and perspectives

There are many facets to the phase-out of coal: Following the adoption of the Coal Phase-out Act, coal will no longer be used to generate electricity in Germany from 2038 at the latest. In the meantime, the use of lignite and hard coal will not only have a considerable impact on the climate, but also on the quality of the air, water and soil. read more (in German) 

Avoiding waste with target group-specific communication

Consumers of all social groups are aware that waste causes environmental problems. In the process, reference is predominantly made to a person's own consumption habits, but the responsibility of companies and politics is also called into question. A study commissioned by the German Environment Agency investigated consumption and potentials of waste prevention by social groups and developed approaches for communication. read more (in German) 

More support for green start-ups

Innovative green start-ups are central to managing environmental challenges. However, the existing start-up support programmes do not support them effectively. A study commissioned by the German Environment Agency shows the deficits and also proposes two variants for start-up financing specifically for green start-ups. read more (in German) 

Prospects for environmentally sound livestock farming

Livestock farming damages the air, soil and water and pollutes the climate. According to a publication by the German Environment Agency, the negative effects of this can be significantly reduced by process engineering measures which can be implemented in the short term (such as lower-emission housing systems), a better spatial distribution of animals and a reduction in the production and consumption of animal foodstuffs. read more (in German) 

Annual report on German auctions in EU emissions trading

How was the third trading period of the European emissions trading system? How many emission certificates were auctioned in Germany in 2020? And what are the proceeds of these auctions used for? The annual report on German auctions provides an overview. read more (in German) 

How can the EU electric power market quickly and cost-effectively become climate-neutral?

How can a rapid, cost-effective and sustainable transformation of the European electric power supply towards a climate-neutral system with renewable energies be achieved? And what climate and energy policy framework is suitable for that purpose? Three UBA studies have examined these questions. read more (in German) 

Questions and answers on the recycling economy

Increasingly more raw materials are being extracted around the world to meet the growing demand of the global economy. This intensifies global environmental problems such as climate change, soil degradation or the loss of biodiversity. In order to address this, we need a more efficient use of resources, to question our consumption and to recycle resources where possible. read more (in German) 

Recommended action for a sustainable bio-economy

A project commissioned by the German Environment Agency on the opportunities and risks of bio-economy strategies shows that they are often not compatible with the global sustainability goals of the 2030 Agenda. In accordance with these findings, specific political recommendations for action to the Federal Government for a sustainable bio-economy are being devised. read more (in German) 

EMW Motto 2021: Active, healthy and safe on the move

This year, health and safety are the focus of the EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK (EMW). The motto "Active, healthy and safe on the move" aims to encourage municipalities to engage with local people on the issues of health and safety on the move. Here, we summarise how these topics are connected and what action is possible. read more (in German) 

Providing shade: The UBA participation campaign

Stress due to heat exposure will continue to increase over the next few years. For many people, this will mean a change in everyday life during the hot months. The participation campaign Shade Givers invites communities, initiatives and private individuals to get involved and put the issue of heat stress on the local agenda. read more (in German) 

Carbon Leakage: Climate policies and investment behaviour

The shifting of emissions abroad due to varying ambitious goals in climate policies, carbon leakage for short, has various facets. A research project commissioned by UBA has examined some of these, including the influence of CO2 pricing on the investment behaviour of industrial companies and a comparison of the climate policies of the EU's main trading partner countries. read more (in German, linked publications partly in English) 

New EU strategy for adapting to climate change

The European Commission adopted the new Climate Change Adaptation Strategy on 24 February 2021 as one of the key measures in the framework of the European Green Deal. read more (in German) 

Sustainable solutions on water and agriculture

Germany's waters are not in a good condition. One of the reasons for this is the nutrient and pollutant load from agriculture. The report by the European Environment Agency and UBA staff shows that more ambitious measures to promote sustainable agriculture are needed in the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to protect waters. read more (in German, linked publications partly in English) 

COVID-19: Proper disposal of quick tests and vaccination waste

Is there any risk of infection from used Corona quick tests or from vaccination waste? And how should waste generated during testing or vaccination be disposed of? A federal/state recommendation has now been published on current issues concerning the disposal of waste from COVID-19 containment measures. read more (in German) 

Evaluation of the Federal Environmental Information Act

The Federal Environmental Information Act (UIG) governs access to environmental information and its active dissemination. A UBA study shows: The Act has essentially proven to be successful. However, the law could be improved and particularly better implemented in some areas. Therefore, the study is primarily addressed to the federal authorities and private bodies obliged to provide information. read more (in German) 

A mandatory energy savings system for Germany

New policy instruments such as a mandatory energy savings system are needed to reduce energy consumption and achieve European and national energy efficiency targets. The German Environment Agency has commissioned a study on how such a policy instrument could be designed for Germany within the existing legal framework with regard to sectors and energy sources or the savings target. read more (in German) 

More than 90 per cent of our flowing waters are not in good ecological condition and hardly provide a habitat for many animals and plants anymore. Renaturation measures are urgently required. Implementing the measures, however, remains a major challenge even after 20 years of the EC Water Framework Directive. Eight billion Euro are to be invested in watercourse development by 2027.