A new "Export Initiative for Environmental Technologies" of the Federal Ministry for the Environment is to support the foreign business of the German environmental industry and thus promote the development of environmental infrastructure. Interested companies and organisations can apply until the end of April. In total, the BMUB five million euros available this year.
Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks: "Germany is the world export champion in environmental protection. We want to maintain this position. In the meantime, other countries have also recognised that environmental protection goods are a key market of the future. With the export initiative, we want to support our companies in developing their Know-How continue to successfully market internationally while driving sustainable development."
Applications are open to institutions from Germany that are working on the development of environmental infrastructure abroad. Funding is available, for example, for projects in the field of circular economy, sustainable water management, sustainable, efficient construction, mobility or sustainable and nature-friendly regional infrastructure development. The initiative will also specifically provide funding for urbanisation partnerships and international "Smart City-projects" will be used. The initiative is also intended to help accelerate the application of global environmental standards abroad.
Source: BMUB PM of 3.2.2017
Keywords: Funding, Environmental policy
More green flat roofs and open spaces planted as insect-friendly as possible in new building areas - these are the key points of a local law that the building and environment deputation is dealing with today. For new buildings with flat roofs of 100 square metres or more, greening will be mandatory. Row houses and hall roofs, for which greening would cause unreasonably high costs, remain exempt. The greening of new flat roofs serves, among other things, to reduce flooding caused by heavy rain. Likewise, the planting of open spaces will be obligatory in new buildings in order to create more habitat for endangered insects in the densely populated city and to promote the infiltration of water. "With more green roofs, Bremen is preparing itself for the consequences of climate change," says parliamentary group leader Maike Schaefer, "we Greens have been campaigning for this for a long time and are pleased with the decision. Extreme precipitation will hit Bremen more frequently as a result of climate change. We have to contain the danger of flooding caused by prolonged heavy rainfall. Flooded cellars and flooded streets affect people's lives and threaten the logistics location. In order not to leave Bremen out in the rain, we will henceforth prescribe more green flat roofs. Green roofs retain precipitation. A large part of the water evaporates, the rest runs off with a time delay and thus relieves the sewage system. Walk-on flat roofs can also be used as attractive recreational areas with the plants. Last but not least, green roofs filter pollutants from the air, provide a pleasant building climate during heat waves and serve endangered insects. Insect protection must be given more weight. The dramatic loss of bees, butterflies & co. due to agricultural toxins and sealing is threatening an ecological disaster: flowers lack pollinators, birds lack food, pests lack natural enemies. Small insects are ecological giants. We must stop the loss of insects. Green roofs are just as suitable for this as insect-friendly planted areas in new development areas."
