Newsletter "UBA aktuell" - No.: 3/2021 | Umweltbundesamt

Vast majority in Germany in favour of socioecological transition

People surveyed see urgent need for action in agriculture and food sector Source: puhimec / Fotolia.com

The German lifestyle is not sustainable. If everyone on the planet lived the way we do, it would take three earths to meet the demand for resources. The results of a representative population survey on environmental awareness in Germany in 2020, which was published by the Federal Environment Ministry and the German Environment Agency in late April 2021, show that a large majority of the German populace favours changing this situation and protecting our livelihoods.

90% of respondents are in favour of a rapid and at the same time socially acceptable transformation to a sustainable economy. Around 80% are in favour of Germany taking on a leadership role on the international stage when it comes to climate action. The survey also shows that the coronavirus pandemic has not sidelined the issue of environmental and climate protection by any means. 65% of Germans consider environmental protection and climate action to be a very important issue. Climate action in particular remains just as important during the pandemic for 70% and has actually become more important for 16%. The people surveyed see a need for action above all in energy, agriculture, food sector and transport, for instance in the form of better bus and rail services and cycle lanes, less packaging waste and more vegetarian and vegan food in canteens and restaurants.

German Environment Agency President Dirk Messner: “The people in Germany are very aware that ambitious environmental protection and climate action ultimately sustains their own livelihoods. This decade is decisive for whether we succeed in setting the right course for a sustainable future or not. We must not let this unique window of opportunity pass us by - especially since a socioecological transition not only creates a better quality of life, but also stimulates the economy.”

German drinking water rated “very good” once more

Drinking water from large centralised facilities continues to be of very good quality in Germany. That is the conclusion of the German Environment Agency's latest report on drinking water quality. As in previous years, there were only isolated cases of limit values being exceeded. read more (in German)

Heat supply for buildings must become carbon neutral

If Germany is to achieve its climate protection goals, the way in which heat is supplied to buildings must be redesigned. To achieve this, buildings must be renovated to be more energy efficient, for example, and all the rest of the heat demand must be derived from renewable energy sources in the future. Expanding and decarbonising heat grids will also be crucial. read more (in German)

The environmental risks of pesticide cocktails are being underestimated

Multiple pesticides are often used on our fields at the same time or in succession. No checks are performed during the approval stage to ascertain how the individual substances work when combined. The substances are only evaluated separately. As a consequence, undesirable impacts on the environment as a result of combining pesticides often go undetected. A recent study for the German Environment Agency indicates that this needs to change quickly. read more (in German)

Conserving resources in the health sector

A research project conducted by the German Environment Agency has examined the issue of resource conservation in the health sector in greater detail. Services in the German health sector consumed 107 million tonnes of natural resources in 2016. This equated to 5% of the total raw material consumption in Germany. read more (in German)

UMID 01/2021: Heat-Health Action Plans and Coronavirus

The latest issue of the UMID magazine presents European heat-health action plans and showcases the heat precautions that various federal states and municipalities are adopting. It also focusses on COVID-19, including aspects such as the severity of the disease in the first wave, the link between coronavirus and changes in air quality, wastewater monitoring, disinfection by means of UV-C radiation and the BfR coronavirus monitor on risk perception in the population. read more (in German).

Future-proof forests and sustainable wood use

Our forests perform a number of roles: they protect the climate, provide wood for us to use, filter dust from the air and offer opportunities for recreation as well as habitats for many animals and plants. A recent German Environment Agency paper shows how climate and environmental protection, sustainable forest management and using wood economically can help to preserve our forests, which have been hit hard by climate change. read more (in German)

Emission intensity of specific CO₂ emissions has fallen significantly

The specific CO₂ emission factor for electricity is falling sharply in Germany. The provisional figure for 2019 is 408 g/kWh and the estimate for 2020 is 366 g/kWh. The increased use of renewable energies had a positive impact on the trend in emissions from electricity generation and is therefore making a significant contribution to lowering the specific factor in the emission intensity. read more (in German)

Bauhaus der Erde - an initiative to transform the built environment

The building sector is a significant driver of climate change due to the emissions release through the construction, use and deconstruction of buildings. This must change as soon as possible if the Paris climate agreement is to be successful. Climate researcher Hans Joachim Schellnhuber is therefore calling for a fundamental shift in building policy from all those responsible. read more (in German)

How architects can reduce the impact of pollutants on the environment

Spillages of biocides and zinc from new build or redevelopment sites into the urban environment are worryingly high. These spillages can be almost entirely prevented by planning in a manner that minimises pollutants. This is the underlying message of new guidelines and fact sheets that offer advice on planning façades and roofs. read more (in German)

Development of the National Programme for Sustainable Consumption (NPNK)

During a meeting of the Committee of State Secretaries for Sustainable Development on 3 May 2021, the German government agreed on a broad package of measures to promote sustainable consumption patterns. The National Programme for Sustainable Consumption (NPNK) dating from 2016 will be further developed, with one of its aims being to contribute to halving consumption-related greenhouse gas emissions per inhabitant by 2030. read more (in German)

Environmental degradation, climate change and migration

Changes in the environment, climate change and environmental disasters can cause or indirectly influence migrations. Since there are many different factors that can force people to decide to migrate, they need to be considered specifically and on a case-by-case basis. Any resulting measures must also always take into account the well-being and rights of the people concerned. read more (in German)

Packaging Register: launch of the LUCID Government Portal

The new “LUCID Government Portal” operated by the Central Packaging Register Office was launched on 12 April. The portal automatically submits suspected administrative offence cases to the responsible state authorities in digital form. This ensures that evidence files are transferred and enforcement in the event of violations of the Packaging Act is faster, simpler and more secure. read more (in German)

Environmental management at the German Environment Agency

Whether it is energy-saving buildings, solar power, reduced business travel or vegetarian catering at events, every aspect of systematic environmental management at the German Environment Agency is examined with the aim of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 at the latest. This short film (in German) demonstrates the different approaches we have adopted and introduces our environmental management policy. read more (in German)

New UBA online education tool: the Consumption Think Tank

Buying organic products, getting by without a car - can our individual consumption decisions save the climate? Or are stricter laws and eco-friendly companies the key to a sustainable lifestyle? The Consumption Think Tank (in German) is designed to help people to understand better what sustainable consumption is all about. The new educational tool is primarily aimed at actors in environmental education, environmental activists and interested consumers. read more (in German)

German Environment Agency launches interactive Environmental Atlas focussing on construction, housing and households

Construction and housing are associated with numerous impacts on the environment and the climate, including greenhouse gas emissions, resource consumption and land use. How can construction be made more sustainable? How can we live in a more environmentally and climate-friendly way? The German Environment Agency’s multimedia Environmental Atlas addresses these questions. read more (in German)

Project funding for associations: apply now for 2022

Environmental protection and nature conservation associations can apply for project funding for 2022 until 20 July 2021. read more (in German)

12 million tonnes of food were thrown away in Germany in 2015. One third of all food is wasted after it leaves the fields but before it reaches our plates. At the same time, many millions of people worldwide suffer from hunger. Food waste also puts considerable strain on the environment, because producing and consuming food is responsible for up to 30% of all environmental impacts in Germany.