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Economy | Consumption

The way our economy currently operates is undermining the foundations of our prosperity because it destroys the natural bases of that very economy. Overuse of resources and climate change are prime examples. Green Economy, sustainable production and sustainable consumption are therefore the overriding aims in the area of economy and consumption.

Economy | Consumption

Start the transformation of the food system now!

Verschiedene Gemüse wie Möhren, Knoblauch, Sellerieknollen und eine Zucchini

Ecological, regional and plant-based: The transformation of our food system towards more sustainability was the focus of a research project commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). New UBA brochure outlines strategies for a sustainable change in our diet.

Economy | Consumption, Digitalisation

Consumer protection: Success against greenwashing

Das Bild zeigt ein Frau beim Onlineshopping an ihrem Laptop.

The European consumer protection network CPC (Consumer Protection Cooperation), co-led by the German Environment Agency (UBA), has succeeded in removing misleading environmental claims ("green claims") from Zalando's European websites.

Economy | Consumption, Digitalisation

Social Media: Four out of five influencers violate labelling requirements

Eine Frau nimmt ein Werbevideo mit dem Smartphone auf.

Under European law, commercial content on social media must be labelled as advertising. The German Environment Agency (UBA) took part in an EU-wide study on this. The findings showed that advertising was only consistently labelled as such in around 20 percent of the influencer profiles examined.

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

How to improve the International Standard on carbon neutrality

A photovoltaic system is installed on the roof of a warehouse

The International Organization for Standardizations (ISO) last year published the first standard on carbon neutrality of organizations and products. In a new factsheet, the German Environment Agency (UBA) outlines its strength and shortcomings and draws some conclusions relevant to companies, verifiers, courts and policymakers.

Economy | Consumption

The German Ecodesign Award 2023 goes to twelve pioneering projects

The jury posing in front of a building

The winners of the 2023 German Ecodesign award show how a consideration of design can lead the way to a more sustainable future Twelve projects were honoured with the coveted award this year. The Europe-wide competition will be announced again on the 22nd of January 2024.

Economy | Consumption, Waste | Resources

Current recycling review: Successes, failures and challenges

Recycling trägt zur Ressourcenschonung bei

Immer mehr Verpackungen sind hochgradig recyclingfähig, die gesetzlichen Recyclingziele werden von den dualen Systemen überwiegend erreicht. Im Jahr 2022 kam es aber auch zu gravierenden Verfehlungen der gesetzlichen Quotenvorgaben. Was es noch braucht, welche Herausforderungen bestehen und wie diese zu meistern sind, haben die ZSVR und das UBA auf einer Pressekonferenz in Berlin erläutert.

Economy | Consumption

NonHazCity 3 Interreg Project

Logo NonHazCity3

Reducing substances in the construction sector that are hazardous to health and the environment and supporting circular construction – these are the goals of NonHazCity 3, a European project in the EU Interreg Program for the Baltic Sea Region. The project team involves 21 partners from all eight EU countries around the Baltic Sea, including the German Environment Agency (UBA).

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Economy | Consumption

Nominees selected for the German Ecodesign Award 2023

The jury posing in front of a building

Imaginative, ecological and forward-looking, the competition was fierce: Out of around 150 submissions considered at the jury meeting in the Metropolenhaus Berlin, 26 innovative projects made it to the final selection.

Economy | Consumption, Water

Environmentally friendly handling of fertiliser in ports

ship while handling fertilisers

Handling of fertilisers in German ports can cause nutrients to enter coastal waters. This can lead to oxygen depletion in the waters and have a severe adverse effect on living organisms. During transshipment, between 0.025 and 0.00000083 per cent of fertiliser can end up in the water. Protective covers between the ship and the quay wall and cleaning of the transshipment areas can counteract this.

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Waste | Resources, Soil | Land, Water

CO2 storage must not hinder phase-out of fossil fuels

schematische Darstellung der Verpressung von CO2 in den Boden

In a new position paper, the German Environment Agency (UBA) advises testing carbon capture and storage (CCS) in waste management.

Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption, Transport

UBA study: This is how Germany can achieve its 2030 climate targets

Emissions from an industrial plant

Germany can still achieve its climate targets by 2030. This is the conclusion of a new study by the German Environment Agency (UBA). To do so, Germany would need, among other things, more rail traffic, a reform of the motor vehicle tax and restrictions on fossil-fuel heating. In addition, all emissions would have to be priced and charged to the polluter.

Short link: www.uba.de/t68en