The planned free trade agreement known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), if improperly designed, could result in a softening of EU environmental standards. read more
TTIP: Risks for environmental protection
Directors of the EPA Network met Frans Timmermans
A delegation of directors from Environmental Protection Agencies across Europe (EPA Network) met with the First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans to discuss a paper with recommendations compiled by the group. read more
Environment in Europe 2015: Welfare needs more courage
The European Environment Agency has released its report ‘The European environment – state and outlook 2015'. According to the document, Europeans enjoy cleaner air and water today, less waste is sent to landfill and more resources are recycled. read more
German-Polish exchange on sewage sludge management
What can be done with the sewage sludge which is generated during waste water treatment? How can valuable materials be recovered and pollutants prevented from entering the environment? The German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUB) invited a Polish delegation on a study tour to promote exchange between the two countries. The group visited exemplary sewage sludge utilisation plants in Germany. read more
Moving forward with the 7th Environment Action Programme
The 2013 adopted 7th EU Environment Action Programme defines objectives for addressing persistent environmental problems of our time. The Programme should receive heightened attention atop the EU Agenda and its implementation should be goal-oriented and ambitious. This is the key message of a paper penned under UBA’s lead by 22 European environmental authorities as members of the EPA Network. read more
Geo-Engineering: Proposals for international governance
A number of schemes have been developed in recent years to combat global warming through intervention into the climate system. What these geo-engineering measures have in common is the risks they harbour for man and the environment which can have an impact worldwide and should therefore be subject to global governance. A study done on behalf of the UBA presents appropriate proposals. read more
Ocean noise – the underestimated disruptive factor
Airguns can disturb marine mammals at distances as far away as 2,000 kilometres says a new study by the Federal Environment Agency. read more
Associations’ right to take legal action good for the environment
Since 2006 environmental and nature conservation associations have had the right to take legal action if certain administrative decisions such as the approval of industrial installations violate environmental provisions. An analysis of practice to date reveals that this right is an effective instrument to ensure that justice is done to the environment. read more
