400 entries were submitted for the German Ecodesign Award this year – a new record! In this issue of the newsletter, you can find out what ecodesign is all about and what innovative ideas there are. Other topics include the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), the implementation status of the Water Framework Directive in the European Union and the Chinese low-cost online marketplace Temu. Together with other European consumer protection authorities, the UBA is currently taking action against Temu for aggressive and misleading business practices. And we introduce you to the new National Soil Monitoring Centre, which was opened at the German Environment Agency on 2 December.
We hope you find it an interesting read
The Press Office of the German Environment Agency
Ecodesign: Good ideas, good products, good environment
ONOX: an innovative concept from the Allgäu
Source: IDZ | raumideen GmbH; PONG Design
Products that are manufactured in an environment-friendly way, contain no harmful chemicals, consume little energy, last a long time, are easy to repair and can be recycled afterwards – this is what the future must look like if we want to continue to live well on our planet with its finite resources and already advancing warming and pollution. This requires taking into account the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle right from the design stage. This is what Ecodesign stands for. An important step in this direction is the new EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force in summer 2024 and applies to many products manufactured or sold in the EU.
The winners of this year's German Ecodesign Award, presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the German Environment Agency and the International Design Center Berlin, once again demonstrate how successful ecodesign can look like. Here are three examples:
The concept for the “ONOX” electric tractor: Instead of diesel, it runs on climate-friendly and cost-effective electricity from the farm's own photovoltaic or biogas plant – thanks to the replaceable battery, which means there is no need to pause for charging.
“Kynd Hair”: Instead of being made from toxic, carcinogenic materials, as is usually the case, the synthetic hair is made from plant-based cellulose – free from harmful substances and reusable.
“PIGMENTURA”: The innovative, pigment-based dyeing process dyes different fibre types and blends without the need of water for soaping and rinsing and energy for heating the soaping and rinsing water – potential savings of up to 96 percent on water and up to 60 percent on energy.
Meanwhile, on 20 January 2025, the German Ecodesign Award will enter the next round. Companies of all sizes and students throughout Europe can apply with their products, concepts and services.
The outcomes of the World Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29) have caused disappointment both in Baku and worldwide. Nevertheless, they still contribute to the international climate action process – an achievement that cannot be taken for granted given the current geopolitical situation.
SRM is supposed to mask global warming by enhancing the earth’s albedo, for example by stratospheric aerosol injection. Thus altering the whole climate system, SRM would impact most areas of life. The risks for geopolitics, mitigation deterrence, ecosystems, justice, food security and water availability are illustrated in this graphic.
For many years, research into SRM was only publicly funded to a limited extent. Private funding, mainly from philanthropic institutions, was the main source. More recently, growing interest from both the public and private sectors has been reported, although concrete data on expanded funding streams is limited and the overall scale and direction of this investment remains unclear This factsheet…
This final report of the project “Geoengineering: Mögliche Synergien und Effekte mit den Sustainable Development Goals”, outlines major questions around geoengineering technologies – both Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) – investigating its technical and environmental components as well as anchoring it in the context of a target-driven climate and sustainability…
Energy and transport poverty and vulnerability are a central building block in the debate around many energy and climate policy issues and have gained firm hold in EU directives, regulations and documents. National governments need to establish indicators for both energy and transport poverty and vulnerability, to fulfil reporting requirements to the EU and to develop and target suitable policies…
Overview and country level analysis from 2005 to 2019
This report aims to describe key developments of the iron and steelmaking sector in the period from 2005 to 2019. It identifies key drivers behind the trends in emissions, production levels, investments, and the market environment on the country and installation level by giving an overview of the EU-28 level as well as detailed information for eight selected European countries: Germany, Italy…
Overview and country-level analysis of electricity generation between 2005 and 2019
The generation of electricity and heat is the largest single activity covered by the EU Emissions Trad-ing System (EU ETS). This report provides an in-depth analysis of the electricity sector since the EU ETS was introduced in 2005. It allows key drivers behind the development in capacities, generation levels and emissions to be identified. It thereby provides key information from past…
Climate Change
220
Energy consumption and energy efficiency in Germany in figures
A new UBA information service (in German) shows the development of energy consumption and efficiency since 2008. Following the coronavirus slump and subsequent recovery, final energy consumption is at its lowest level for 15 years. Nevertheless, further efforts are needed to save energy; Consumption in 2023 was still a good seven percent above the path to Germany's 2030 efficiency target. read more (in German)
UBA CO₂ calculator: New calculation basis for wood energy
What can I do myself to protect the climate? The CO₂ calculator provides answers to this question by allowing you to calculate your own CO₂ footprint and thus identify potential savings. In March 2024, the calculation for heating with wood was adjusted in the calculator. Below, the German Environment Agency (UBA) answers the most frequently asked questions. read more (in German)
Biocides are used against various harmful organisms and can pose a potential risk to the environment. Risk mitigation measures provide necessary information on how to use biocidal products safely, especially for consumers products.
During the online survey conducted in Germany in 2022 participants were asked how comprehensible and practicable they rate instructions found on biocidal products. The…
Texte
84
“Chemistry in everyday life” app provides information about chemical substances
The “Chemistry in everyday life” app (in German) offers quick access to reliable information about chemical substances – now there's a new version! With improved search options, modern design and barrier-free access, the app is ideal for anyone interested in chemicals and their uses. Version 2.0 is now available in the App Store and Google Play Store. read more (in German)
FAQ: Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in ecosystems
After use, antibiotics can enter the ecosystem through treated sewage, combined sewer overflows, sewage sludge or manure, which can harm organisms and promote resistance. So far, in Germany alone, 64 different antibiotics have been detected in ecosystems. Click here for important questions and answers during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). read more (in German)
PFAS restriction: ECHA reports current status and outlook
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a report on the current status of the procedure for the restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the European chemicals regulation REACH. A German translation of the report has now also been published. read more (in German)
This report presents the results of a research project that investigated the influence of noise from air source heat pumps and air conditioners on sleep quality, daytime functioning and mood in two laboratory studies. It was found that typical noises from air-source heat pumps and air conditioners can affect sleep, concentration and mood in more than 40 test subjects. These results make it clear…
the CPC network of European consumer protection authorities, co-led by the German Environment Agency (UBA), is taking action against the company. In a joint letter, the consumer protection authorities call on Temu to cease its violations of European law as soon as possible. If the company does not cooperate, further measures – such as the imposition of fines – may follow.
The concept of ‘Planetary Boundaries’ quantifies the limits on the Earth system. The report explores the question on how consumption patterns could look like which are globally transferable, compatible with German consumption levels and remain within planetary boundaries. The report examines this question based on average consumption patterns in Germany. It develops and outlines six exemplary…
This paper investigates synergies and challenges for companies to use information collected to meet their environmental regulatory obligations for the purposes of reporting under the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). It presents the results of two cases studies from the German manufacturing industry. The case studies find that processes in place and data collected because of…
This report analyses and classifies the prevailing and emerging supply chain management practices for environmental protection in the supply chains of cotton, tin, natural rubber, coffee and iron ore/steel. To provide the background for this analysis, it contains an inventory of operational approaches to and instruments for sustainable supply chain management at the company level. In addition, the…
Texte
167
Tips for a healthy & sustainable Advent and Christmas season
From Advent lighting to buying a Christmas tree and even giving “time instead of things”, here you will find our Tips for a healthy & sustainable Advent and Christmas season. read more (in German)
Study on the more environmentally friendly production of chemicals
The study “Process-integrated measures and alternative production processes for a more environmentally friendly production of chemicals” (UpChem, in German) provides an overview of conventional and alternative production processes and process-integrated measures for a more environmentally friendly production of chemicals as well as information on associated environmental aspects. The potential is huge. read more (in German)
Consumption of packaging in Germany fell by 675,000 tonnes to 19 million tonnes in 2022. This corresponds to a decrease of 3.4 per cent compared to the previous year.
Environmentally sustainable freight transport: international, national, local
Freight transport keeps the world running. In Germany freight transport has grown massively these past 30 years, by 75 %. Its climate-harming emissions are nowadays 25 % higher. Continuously high burdens of air pollution, noise and land consumption represent the downside of freight transport.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) with this brochure attempts to present a vision for an environmentally…
brochure / flyer
88
Air
How can we improve our pollutant portal thru.de?
Thru.de is the central German portal for transparent and freely accessible emissions and waste data. Among other things, you can research which and how many pollutants are released into the environment by companies, sewage treatment plants or traffic. We are currently revising thru.de and would like to take your needs and ideas into account. Please take part in our survey! read more (in German)
The European Union will not achieve the goal set out in the Water Framework Directive of restoring its waters to good status by 2027 at the latest. This is shown in a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) with the participation of the UBA. Based on the most comprehensive database on Europe's waters, the report underlines the urgent need for faster action. read more (in German)
Impact of climate change on the availability of water
The decline in water supply is statistically significant. This is shown by the current “WADKlim” study, which investigated the effects of dryness and drought on water availability, the soil water balance and groundwater in Germany. read more (in German)
Pesticides in groundwater: Fewer active ingredients, more metabolites
The contamination of groundwater with pesticide substances in Germany has decreased. This is shown by a recent nationwide study of more than 16,000 measuring points. The decline mainly concerns substances that are no longer permitted and whose concentration in groundwater is now slowly decreasing. Metabolites, on the other hand, are found much more frequently – now at over 70 percent of measuring points. read more (in German)
The National Soil Monitoring Centre at the German Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau was opened on 2 December. The aim of the new centre is to make as much of the data as possible collected in Germany on the condition of soils from the various monitoring programmes available from a central location and to make it usable for joint evaluations. The results can also be used at European level.
Sustainability / Strategies / International issues
At the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2024, the International Academy Transformation for Environment and Sustainability (TES Academy) at UBA, the Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management (CIPSEM) and the Global Diplomacy Lab showcased an innovative dialogue model for international collaboration on sustainability-related challenges.
The “Urban-Rural-Plus” project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) examined how urban and rural areas can work together more effectively to combine the advantages of both and compensate for deficits, for example in the areas of nutrition, housing, trade, recycling management and local recreation.
Making everyday life more sustainable and inspiring friends and family – the German Environment Agency’s (UBA) mobile game “Little Impacts” (in German) shows how this can be achieved. In five interactive chapters, players experience how the main character Leah and her cousin Mailin inspire the people around them to embrace sustainability.
