The EN 16001 standard of 2009 sets uniform EU-wide criteria for structured energy management systems. By implementing the standard, companies and organisations can improve their energy efficiency and identify energy saving potential. The new guideline published by UBA and BMU shows in a clear and practice-oriented way just how it is done and that doing so is worthwhile in both environmental and economic respects.
A tailor-made eleven-billion-euro investment programme would put the German rail network in a position to double the present rail freight volume within the next two decades. The programme is detailed in a study done by the KCW GmbH on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency.
BMU and UBA invite to participate on conference “Human Biomonitoring: Political benefits - scientific challenges” at 26th-28th.9.2010. It will discuss the potential and limits of HBM for determining and assessing how the population is affected, and incorporation of HBM into national and international initiatives on environmental health, inter alia. Participation is free of charge.
Germany’s electricity supply could make a complete switch to renewable energies by 2050. The technology already available on the market could make this possible even today, but it requires that electricity be used and produced very efficiently. These are the results of a study done by the Federal Environment Agency.
In Germany, the import of wastes requiring authorization, most notably contaminated soil, asbestos contaminated waste, used wood containing hazardous substances and residue from waste incineration installations, remained high in 2009. Total volume was 7.6 milllion tones. Exports, in contrast, declined by about 20 percent and amounted to only 1.2 milllion tones. The majority of exports comprised of residual fractions from waste sorting.
To assess the potential environmental risks of veterinary medicinal products and biocides used in animal houses, their degradation behaviour in liquid manure must be tested. While OECD guidelines are available for such investigations in soil and water/sediment, there has been no such basis for liquid manure. Therefore, a technical protocol was developed for the performance of such tests.
Tests carried out by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) on behalf of UBA have reconfirmed the following: in the event of a vehicle fire, there are risks posed to the environment and health by the refrigerant tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) which the automobile industry has spoken out in favour of using in the future. UBA therefore now reasserts its recommendation that CO2 be used as a refrigerant instead. CO2 is far more compatible with the environment and has been operating successfully in an UBA staff car for over a year.
The UBA is organising an international forum on “greening real estate markets” in cooperation with the UNECE. It will take place 29/30 November 2010 and will be attended by the UNECE Executive Secretary and UBA’s President. Topics include the advantages of eco-construction for real estate markets and incentives governments can provide to encourage more environmentally sound building.
A workshop on commercial refrigeration with natural refrigerants organised by UBA will take place on 14 October as part of the EU SPIN project. The workshop addresses refrigeration craft companies visiting the Chillventa trade fair in Nuremberg and interested in information on systems using natural refrigerants.
The UN-climate negotiations in December in Copenhagen did not achieve the desired success. However, at least several advances were made that can help to reach a legally binding agreement. This analysis examines the negotiations in Copenhagen as well as their results. Highlighted are lessons we can learn from these experiences and how we can move forward for an agreement in Cancun in December.
The emission reduction targets of the world’s major CO2 emitters are not yet sufficient to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius. Doing more will not necessarily cost us more, however. A new study commissioned by UBA shows that economic costs in terms of reduced gross domestic product (GDP) compared to baseline GDP in 2020 are no higher than 0.25 percent, assuming that emission allowances are traded globally. If the EU reduces its emissions by 30 percent (instead of by 20 percent) by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, the reduction in GDP growth will be marginal.