Mobility is an important requirement for our economy and a basic human need. However, traffic creates many problems that harm people and the environment. In addition to CO₂ emissions and other climate-damaging greenhouse gases, traffic-related air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are a major health hazard. A comprehensive concept for sustainable mobility emphasises traffic avoidance and the shift of traffic to more environmentally friendly modes of transport. It includes the technical optimisation of drive systems and a switch to sustainable alternative fuels. An important pillar of sustainable mobility is eco-mobility with buses and trains as well as bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
The world's oceans are becoming increasingly burdened by man-made noise. This noise can disturb or even harm marine animals. An international research project entitled "Hearing in penguins", which is funded by the German Environment Agency (UBA), shows that penguins, just like whales and seals, also hear and react to noise in the sea.
Airborne ultrafine particles can be harmful to human health. A study by the German Environment Agency (UBA) at Frankfurt Airport has demonstrated that ultrafine particle (UFP) load in the vicinity of airports can be significantly elevated. Engine emissions are shown to be the major cause, contributing 90 per cent of total load.
The "Environmental Monitor" for 2020 from the German Environment Agency (UBA) draws a mixed picture of the condition of the environment in Germany. While there have been recent improvements in air quality or greenhouse gases, other indicators fare poorly.
The EU Commission will award prizes within the framework of EMW in two categories to the municipalities with the most innovative and ambitious programmes. An international jury draws up a shortlist of finalists. Two German cities are among the finalists this year.
Zero-emission mobility should be possible for all. However, the current German transportation system penalises far too many population groups who, for example, suffer from a lack of accessibility or live on busy roads. During European Mobility Week from September 16-22, 93 towns and cities in Germany will show how mobility can be organised in a socially just manner.
Today's transportation system in Germany shows numerous social injustices, says a position paper by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Low-income households in particular are disadvantaged, for example because they more frequently live on roads with higher traffic volumes and thus higher noise and air pollution levels - even though they often do not drive.
The only recently revised international noise approval regulations for motor vehicles are not suitable for preventing extreme noise emissions in road traffic. This is according to a recent study for the German Environment Agency (UBA). Various brand-new motorcycles and sports cars that complied with the approval regulations were 20 dB or more louder during measurements outside the type test area o
In Germany, some 560,000 end-of-life vehicles arose in 2018. Recycling of these vehicles complied with the European recycling and recovery targets, yet the whereabouts of around 310,000 vehicles are unknown. UBA therefore recommends the introduction of minimum requirements for vehicle registration systems in respect of deregistration of vehicles.
The German Environment Agency has published the final data for 2019 on nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The data show that only 25 cities exceeded the annual mean NO2 limit value of 40 micrograms NO2 per cubic metre of air (µg/m³), compared to 57 cities in the previous year.
A general speed limit on German federal motorways would allow reductions of greenhouse gas emissions ranging between 1.9 and 5.4 million tonnes annually, depending on the actual limit imposed. These are the results of new calculations by the German Environment Agency (UBA).
Measured concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in 2019 exceeded the annual mean limit of 40 µg/m³ of air at nearly 20 percent of measuring stations located near road traffic, compared to 42 percent in 2018. Nitrogen dioxide pollution overall continues to decline throughout Germany.
The Federal Government offsets all of its business travel greenhouse gas emissions. It tracks the emissions of the car trips and air travel of the staff of 116 ministries and federal agencies and offsets their impact through high-standard international climate action projects.
