Topics | Umweltbundesamt

Pesticides are used extensively in agriculture. Their main purpose is to keep crops healthy and weeds and pests at bay. However, they also have undesirable effects on biodiversity and water quality in adjacent biotopes. read more

In addition to sufficient water, plants need nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphate, potassium) and trace elements (e.g., copper and zinc) to develop and grow. Only then can they achieve high yields of good quality. Plants absorb nutrients and trace elements from the soil through their root system. The humus content of the soil plays a central role in this process. Humus is rich in plant nutrients a... read more

What does environmentally friendly agriculture and sustainable, healthy nutrition look like in Germany? What mix of instruments can be used to achieve the transformation of the agricultural and food system in Germany? UBA is addressing these and other questions in the “Food and Agriculture with a Future” project and developing solutions and recommendations for action. read more

Climate action in the agricultural sector is complex. It becomes even more complex when looking at the many different national, regional, climatic, cultural and political circumstances of agriculture around the world. Greenhouse gas reduction and climate adaptation, food security, biodiversity, land rights and land use conflicts must all be considered together. read more

When strong winds hit bare or only poorly covered soil, soil material is stirred up and transported, sometimes over long distances, through the open landscape. The result is the stealthy loss of fertile soil. Neighboring sites and ecosystems can be affected. Also, for people dangerous situations are possible, for example due to impaired visibility. read more

Urease and nitrification inhibitors are chemicals used in agriculture to increase plant nitrogen utilization of fertilizers and thereby reduce ammonia, nitrate and nitrous oxide emissions. But their application comes with environmental and health risks. The German Environment Agency (UBA) therefore recommends improved regulation of these substances. read more

According to the data of the German Federal Statistical Office, the share of area under organic farming of agricultural land increased from 2.9 % to 11.2 % from 1999 to 2024.The Federal Government aims to increase the proportion of organically cultivated areas in agricultural land to 30 % by 2030.At the growth rate of recent years, this aim is expected to be missed in 2030. read more

Between 1991 and 2024 the area of grassland in Germany decreased by around 12 %.The area of permanent grassland has almost remained at the same level in recent years.The loss of grassland was largely halted with the EU agricultural policy introduced in 2014, and the area of grassland has not fallen below the 2013 level since then. Effective steps are required to achieve this target. read more