Stimulus packages amounting to billions of euros have been and are being launched worldwide to mitigate the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus crisis. The Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) and the German Environment Agency (UBA) consider these programmes an opportunity to set the course towards a more sustainable society by planning a resilient and viable economic recovery. read more
Packaging waste: Online marketplaces must be subject to better oversight
The German Environment Agency (UBA) proposes to require operators of online marketplaces to ensure compliance with the Packaging Act on their platforms. "Digital marketplaces can also do more to protect the environment. We recommend that in future all online platforms check before selling goods whether sellers have complied with the obligation to be registered in the Packaging Register." read more
Coronavirus in schools: Air purifiers alone are not enough – room ventilation is still key
The use of mobile air purifiers alone is no substitute for adequate ventilation in schools. Mobile air purifiers merely circulate the air in the room and do not replace the necessary supply of outside air. However, there are cases where air purifiers can supplement ventilation in a meaningful way. read more
Climate change adaptation in Germany – specialist conference on strategies to counter heat, drought and heavy rainfall
A resilient climate change forest, urban green as a cool oasis in the middle of a hot city, climate-friendly building materials made from natural resources, and a coaching programme to assist municipalities in adapting to climate change – these are the winners of this year’s Blauer Kompass award. The projects were honoured during an online conference on climate resilience. read more
EU climate targets: 60 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is possible, German Environment Agency says
The German Environment Agency (UBA) believes it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by at least 60 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. A key element in this is a rapid reform of EU emissions trading. read more
Further increase in packaging consumption in 2018 in Germany
In 2018, Germany generated a total of 18.9 million tonnes of packaging waste. This is 0.7 per cent more than in 2017 and corresponds to an average of 227.5 kg of packaging waste per capita. Since 2010, packaging consumption has thus increased by 17.9 percent. read more
Coronavirus protection in schools: Airing rooms for five minutes, every 20 minutes
The German Environment Agency (UBA) has drafted some helpful guidance for the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in Germany (KMK) on proper airing practices in schools. The handbook reflects the UBA experts' recommendations on indoor air hygiene and how proper ventilation in schools can reduce the risk of infection with the novel coronavirus. read more
Schulze: "Human biomonitoring should become an instrument of European chemicals policy"
At an international conference on "Human Biomonitoring for science and chemical policy", Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and UBA President Dirk Messner spoke out in favour of expanding human biomonitoring at European level. This involves examining population groups for their exposure to environmental pollutants and other sources. read more