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Solar Radiation Modification (SRM): Intractable Governance and Uncertain Science

Solar radiation modification is highly controversial. The implementation of invasive geoengineering technologies would entail serious and largely unforeseeable ecological, and geopolitical risks. Considerable scientific disagreement exists around the extent of the risks, how they relate to increased risks of climate change, and whether uncertainties could be resolved. In expert workshops held in 2022 the scientific, technical, and geopolitical viability and desirability of SRM was discussed. This discussion paper presents a blended overview of the academic literature on solar geoengineering and the positions expressed at expert workshops, as well as personal assessments from the authors.

Adapting CDM methodologies for use under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Die vorliegende Studie analysiert, inwiefern existierende Methodiken für die Bestimmung der Zusätzlichkeit und Referenzfälle und das Monitoring unter internationalen Kohlenstoffmärkten, insbesondere diejenigen aus dem Mechanismus für umweltverträgliche Entwicklung (CDM), für die Anwendung unter dem Artikel 6.4-Mechanismus angepasst werden können. Wir betonen dabei die Notwendigkeit, auf die Erfahrungen unter dem Kyoto-Protokoll zurückzugreifen. CDMMethodiken müssen verändert werden, um den stringenteren Anforderungen unter Artikel 6.4 des Pariser Abkommens zu genügen. Einen Konsens zwischen den Mitgliedern desAufsichtsgremiums des Artikel 6.4 bezüglich der zu entwickelnden Methodikrichtlinie warbisher eine Herausforderung und zeigt, dass es ein breites Spektrum an Interpretationen der Artikel 6.4-Methodikanforderungen gibt. Auf dieser Basis diskutieren wir verschiedene Optionen, diese Anforderungen zu operationalisieren und konzentrieren uns auf diejenige, übergreifende Methodikwerkzeuge einzuführen, die CDM-Methodiken "Artikel 6.4-tauglich" machen können. Wir erläutern diesen Ansatz, indem wir ihn auf die beiden CDM-Methodiken ACM0005 ("Erhöhung des Anteils an Zuschlagstoffen bei der Zementproduktion") und ACM0006 ("Strom- und Wärmeerzeugung aus Biomasse") anwenden. Für diese Methodiken schlagen wir spezifische Anpassungen vor, um sie mit den Artikel 6.4-Anforderungen konform zu machen, vor allem bezüglich der Zusätzlichkeitsbestimmung, der Vermeidung der langfristigen Fixierung von Emissionen, Quantifizierung der Emissionsreduktionen, und Monitoring, Berichterstattung und Verifizierung. Quelle: Forschungsbericht

Methodological Convention 3.2 for the Assessment of Environmental Costs

The new version of the UBA Handbook on Environmental Value Factors – the „Methodological Convention 3.2” – contains a partial update of the monetized environmental impacts published in the “Methodological Convention 3.1”, based on new value factors for greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. A comprehensive update of all value factors – including components such as emission factors and utilization rates – will be published in the Handbook on Environmental Value Factors 4.0, scheduled for 2025.Environmental value factors reflect the benefit of environmental protection for society – and the costs that society incurs if environmental protection is neglected. The value factors can be used in the public sector to assess, e.g., the impacts of regulation and infrastructure investments, and for the design of economic instruments. In the corporate sector, the value factors can be used, i.a., to inform management decisions, monetize the environmental impacts of financial investments, and in sustainability reporting.

The EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework: Options for using certified removal units and funding mitigation activities

With the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF), adopted in 2024, the EU established a voluntary framework for carbon removal certification, which includes criteria for the certification of removals, rules for the certification process and the recognition of certification schemes. This report discusses the options for how certified removal units may be used and what policy options are available to complement funding for removals besides revenues generated through the CRCF.

Ausgaben des Bundes für die Anpassung an den Klimawandel

Anpassung an die Folgen des Klimawandels betrifft viele Politikfelder. Doch wie viel der Bund für Anpassungsaktivitäten vorsieht, war bisher unbekannt. Mit einer neuen Methodik des Umweltbundesamts lassen sich die Ausgaben schätzen. Eine erste Auswertung zum Bundeshaushaltsplan 2022 zeigt: In 255 Haushaltstiteln waren zwischen 2,1 Mrd. Euro und 3,4 Mrd. Euro für die Anpassung eingestellt.

Identifying and supporting vulnerable households in light of rising fossil energy costs

Rising energy prices, poor energy performance of buildings and low incomes can leave households unable to meet their energy needs, adequately heat their homes or pay their energy bills. These households are referred to as energy poor or vulnerable households. However, a standardised definition and robust indicators of energy poverty are currently lacking in Germany. This study therefore addresses the concepts of energy poverty and vulnerability, presents definitions and indicators, and looks at policies and measures to support affected groups. The study emphasises that energy poverty should not be seen as part of general poverty, but as a distinct structural problem. Due to budget constraints or lack of decision-making power, affected households are unable to respond adequately to an increase in fossil fuel prices, for example as a result of CO2 pricing, by investing in energy-efficient refurbishment or renewable heat.To prevent a worsening of social inequalities as a result of the European carbon pricing scheme for buildings and transport (ETS2), the Social Climate Fund will be established at EU level to complement the ETS2. The National Social Climate Plans, due in mid-2025, require EU member states to define energy poverty and vulnerability, develop indicators to identify these groups, and design policies and measures to help these groups transition to climate-friendly technologies.Using a range of indicators, the study concludes that around 3 million households in Germany are vulnerable to rising fossil fuel prices. This represents around 10% of the 30 million households that use fossil fuels for heating. More than 80% of these vulnerable households live in multi-family dwellings and almost all of them are tenants.The study examines different instruments to support vulnerable households and also looks at good practice examples from other countries. Socially differentiated financing of efficiency and decarbonisation measures, similar to the French MaPrimeRénov' programme, could also help those households to invest that have so far hardly benefited from state funding programmes in Germany.

Report on typical GHG emission values for the cultivation of agricultural raw materials for NUTS 2 regions or a more disaggregated level in Germany according to RED II

This report explains the calculation of the updated typical greenhouse gas emission values for the cultivation of agricultural raw materials for NUTS 2 regions in Germany and presents the results. The calculations for eleven energy crops are based on updated input variables consisting of standardized factors and comprehensive data sources such as yields, fertilizer consumption and diesel consumption. Particular attention was paid to emissions of nitrous oxide and nitrogen fertilizer. The values are differentiated for mineral and organic soils. Compared to the first report from 2010, the current values are generally significantly lower but vary to larger extend between NUTS 2 regions.

Umwelt- und Klimaschutz in der Logistik

Ein wirkungsvoller Umwelt- und Klimaschutz im Güterverkehr umfasst Maßnahmen zur Verkehrsverlagerung, der Verkehrsvermeidung, der Effizienzsteigerung und nicht zuletzt der alternativen Antriebe. Der vorliegende Forschungsbericht zeigt konkrete Maßnahmen, wie der Umwelt- und Klimaschutz in der logistikbezogenen Wertschöpfung unterstützt werden kann. Die Bewertung der Maßnahmen macht deutlich, dass alternative Antriebe in Kombination mit Photovoltaik auf Hallendächern und der Installation von Wärmepumpen einen beträchtlichen Beitrag zum Klimaschutz leisten können. Doch auch zahlreiche weitere Maßnahmen für Effizienzsteigerungen bei Transport, Umschlag und Lagerung, die im Abschlussbericht zusammengestellt und bewertet wurden, zahlen auf den Klimaschutz ein - von der effizienten Temperatursteuerung in Logistikimmobilien bis zum Zugdrachen für Seeschiffe. Der Forschungsbericht richtet sich an Unternehmen, Politik, Verwaltung und Gesellschaft und zeigt strukturiert und umfassend Maßnahmen einer umweltorientierten Logistik auf.

Technical approaches to removing methane from the atmosphere (methane removal)

Against the background of the discussion on Carbon Dioxide Removal, the question arises as to whether there are also technologies to remove methane (CH4) from the atmosphere (Methane Removal), which is 30 times more harmful to the climate. Methane is converted into CO2 in the atmosphere by natural oxidation processes with an average residence time of 9 to 12 years. This factsheet presents the development status of technical approaches to accelerate this process and remove methane from the atmosphere at the current atmospheric concentration of approx. 2 ppm. These approaches are not an alternative to avoiding and reducing methane emissions.

Efficiency display of space heaters

This study develops recommendations on how efficiency indicators can be considered and designed as part of the amendment of the Ecodesign Regulation (EU) No 813/2013 on space heaters and combination heaters. Efficiency indicators should be used for the early detection of efficiency problems in heating appliances as well as efficiency-reducing defects. They are based on data that is mostly collected for control purposes anyway. To date, there are no standards for the interpretation and evaluation of efficiency. This study fills this gap and develops a method for efficiency indicators for heating appliances such as boilers and heat pumps.

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