Environmental News
May 21, 2012
| FFO
In just over a month, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) will take place. In light of this, Germany's Foreign Office held the 29th Forum on Global Issues which focused on the question: “Can institutions concerned with sustainability and greening of the economy be successfully restructured?”
Forum on Global Issues
May 7, 2012
| Siemens
In cooperation with various project partners, Siemens researchers have developed a new recipe for plastic made primarily of renewable resources and CO2. The new material is the result of a three-year project on research into CO2 as an ingredient for polymers. The project was funded by the German Research Ministry.
Innovative plastics from CO2
Apr 17, 2012
| CMIA/GIC Africa
Sustainability is in style and the Aid by Trade Foundation is looking to Africa for innovative designs in raw cotton. From February to July 2012, the foundation will work together with textile and advertising companies, and renowned fashion design schools in Africa and Germany to launch an international design contest.
Cotton made in Africa fashion contest 2012
Apr 16, 2012
| BMU
A new study commissioned by Germany's Environment Ministry and carried out by renowned research institutes shows that the nation's targets on the expansion of renewable energies, energy efficiency and climate protection can be achieved on schedule.
Study: German energy plan feasible
Apr 3, 2012
| www.magazine-deutschland.de
Germany has 72 bioenergy villages. Thanks to the dedication of their inhabitants, these communities manage to advance and improve their energy supply independently of large corporations: self-managed power grids and heating networks help keep energy prices stable; community-owned power plants create jobs.
Germany's bioenergy villages
Mar 29, 2012
| BMU/GIC Africa
The boom of renewable energies in Germany continues to create new opportunities in its labour market. A recently published study for the German Ministry of Environment reported that in 2011, the renewable energy sector provided employment for approximately 382,000 people.
Renewable energy provides over 380,000 jobs
Mar 27, 2012
| CPI2/GIC Africa
A new on-line tool has been developed by a German retailer’s climate protection initiative that allows businesses to independently evaluate their energy consumption, with recommendations for improving efficiency. The tool is part of the Carbon Performance Improvement Initiative (CPI2) that aims to reduce CO2 emissions within supply chains of imported goods.
German retailers' climate protection initiative
Mar 26, 2012
| BMZ
The German Cabinet recently decided that Germany would express its interest in hosting the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The place at which the Fund's headquarters would be established is the Federal City of Bonn. The GCF provides funding to developing countries to help them make their economies climate-friendly and adapt to unavoidable consequences of climate change.
Germany offers to host Green Climate Fund
Mar 20, 2012
| www.research-in-germany.de
More than 250 scientists and experts from around the world are meeting in Leipzig to discuss the economic value of biodiversity. The international conference is being held at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research from March 19-22. The participants are discussing new ways and innovative approaches for the protection of natural resources and the environment.
International TEEB conference
Mar 16, 2012
| GIC Africa
DENA, the German Energy Agency, is running an international competition that rewards excellence in increasing energy efficiency in industry and production. As part of the competition, it will offer awards with total prize money of 30,000 Euro. The “Initiative EnergieEffizienz“ campaign is funded by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology.
Energy Efficiency Award 2012
