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Heat pumps will play a key role in the future, greenhouse gas-neutral heating of buildings. Last year, every fourth new heating system was already a heat pump. Nevertheless, there are still many misconceptions and a lack of information about their potential use. read more

The German Environment Agency (UBA) opened a new site in Cottbus on the 25th April 2024. Ten UBA employees will conduct research there on the decarbonisation of industry and transport. The newly founded department is there to exchange knowledge and network with local actors. The Federal Government supports the foundation of the new UBA site in Cottbus on the basis of the Coal Regions read more

Over 50 years ago, the social-liberal coalition under chancellor Willy Brandt breathed new life into environmental protection. With the launch of the Federal Government’s first environmental programme and the appointment of the first German Environment Minister in 1971, environmental policy initially took root within the Federal Ministry. read more

The Single-Use Plastics Fund Act, passed on 15 May 2023, obliges manufacturers to bear the costs for the collection of their single-use plastic products when discarded as waste in streets or parks from 2024. The German Environment Agency is setting up the digital platform DIVID to manage and process the levies that companies must pay into the Single-Use Plastic Fund. read more

The Hesse State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) investigated the emission ⁠of ultrafine particles (UFP) and the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators to reduce fine dust emissions from a wood-burning stove. read more

At its meeting on 22 March, the Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Commission at the German Environment Agency (UBA) derived a health-based assessment value (HBM value) for mono-n-hexyl phthalate (MnHexP) in urine. read more

The shallow coastal waters of the Baltic Sea are not only popular with holidaymakers, but also provide a home for many creatures in seagrass meadows, dense algae forests, rocky reefs and mussel beds. read more

Dr Olena Matukhno began her research work at the German Environment Agency (UBA) on 1 February 2024. Her work focuses on compliance with national climate targets in the Ukrainian iron and steel industry through decarbonisation and emissions trading measures once the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has ended. read more

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. read more

Up to date overview of the application of nanocarriers: Research report shows the chemical and structural diversity as well as the wide range of applications of these advanced materials in medicine, plant protection, food and other areas. read more