Resource consumption is essential to our existence. Global population and economic growth are increasing the pressure on natural resources such as raw materials, land and biodiversity. The German Environment Agency pursues the key aim to reduce resource consumption and the associated environmental impact overall and along the entire value-adding chain. The avoidance of waste and the use of residual and waste materials as secondary raw materials and the energy recovery of waste can also make a meaningful contribution to resource conservation, as can resource-efficient production processes, products and utilisation concepts.
The "Aktion Biotonne Deutschland" 2021 campaign to promote the collection of biowaste starts on 14 October. Through 30 November municipalities are thanking their citizens for the separate collection of biowaste. The six-week campaign involves various actions aiming at collecting larger amounts of biowaste and achieving more varietal purity.
The vocational school centre in Mühldorf am Inn wins the Federal ENVIRONMENT & BUILDING 2021 Award for its innovative energy concept. The building generates more energy than it consumes and stores waste heat in an ice storage. In addition to the main prize winner, another four projects were awarded recognitions, including two in the newly created category "climate-friendly refurbishment".
At its first meeting on May 25, 2021, the newly formed Resources Commission at the German Environment Agency (UBA) was constituted for the appointment period 2021 to 2024. The Resource Commission consists of 18 experts from science, industry, administration, and civil society, who were personally appointed by the President of UBA.
The UMWELT & BAUEN award recognises projects that are already realizing the idea of a new European Bauhaus in terms of sustainable building. The prize will be awarded for the second time in 2021, this time in four categories. All stakeholders in the building sector are eligible to apply by the 25 May 2021 deadline.
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 11th edition of European Waste Reduction Week (EWWR) starts on Saturday 21 November. More than 1,000 actions all about waste reduction will take place throughout Germany until 29 November. This year's motto in Germany for the week is "Invisible Waste: Waste we don't see – look closely!"
The German Environment Agency (UBA) is urging the debate about climate change mitigation not to forget the protection of other resources and raw materials. The UBA study "RESCUE" recently showed for Germany that climate action and resource protection can not only be implemented simultaneously, but that they even support and strengthen each other.
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.
To increase recycling of precious and minor metals, a German Environment Agency study concludes that dismantling and recycling obligations plus information obligations for WEEE and motors with neodymium magnets and end-of-life vehicle electronics may be appropriate. It also recommends consolidation workshops and adjustments to legislation regarding the long-term interim storage of minor metals.
In 2015, the United Nations adopted 17 goals for worldwide socially, ecologically and economically sustainable development (Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs). The SDG 12 database shows which developments have taken place in Germany since then with regard to Goal 12 "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns". It currently comprises more than 120 activities.
147 submissions to the contest's four categories "Product", "Service", "Concept", and "Young Talent" were on display and evaluated yesterday at feldfünf, in the open space of the Metropolenhaus in Berlin. 28 projects were nominated by the environmental and design experts of the jury for this year's design award.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) reports positive environmental performance 30 years after German reunification. Air, water and soil much cleaner – climate change remains greatest challenge.
