In the KlimRess project, ifeu, together with adelphi research (project lead) and the University of Queens, has investigated the possible effects of climate change on ecological risks of mining and raw material supply chains using five case studies for nine raw materials.

Despite increasing recycling efforts, the globally growing demand for raw materials in the coming decades will have to be covered mainly by mining. This has significant effects on the environment. 50 raw materials were evaluated on their environmental hazard potential for an UBA study. More than half of them have a high environmental hazard potential because mining may affect protected areas, or pollute soil and water with heavy metals, acids or radioactivity.

Municipalities are a central field of action for combating climate change and the transition to an ecologically sound, low-carbon energy system. As part of the Sino-German Climate Partnership Scientists, scientists from ifeu, in cooperation with Beijing-based Innovative Green Development Program (iGDP) and Klaus Hoppe Consulting (Freiburg) prepared a guideline for Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) and discussed it in an online conference with representatives from various Chinese cities and research organizations.

ifeu has developed iBRoad – the individual Building Renovation Roadmap – together with twelve partners from nine European countries. iBRoad is an energy consultancy service for building owners that leads to sustainable energy consumption through several renovation steps. An online building logbook supports the owners on this path. iBRoad is one of three nominees for the EUSEW Award in the category Innovations. Vote with us!

ifeu has developed the MobiliseYourCity Emissions Calculator on behalf of the MobiliseYourCity Initiative to help cities and countries assess the GHG impact of their SUMPs (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) and NUMPs (National Urban Mobility Policies and Investment Programmes).

Road freight traffic is responsible for more than one third of the national greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector – and is likely to increase in the future. Climate-neutral freight transport must play a key role for Germany to achieve its climate goals. A new joint Policy Brief by Fraunhofer ISI, the Oeko Institut and ifeu shows that the overhead line technology has great potential for CO2 savings and can be economically viable.

After two years of work, a panel of experts convened by the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy published guidelines for life cycle assessment of CCU technologies, i.e. technologies for carbon capture and utilisation. ifeu expert Nils Rettenmaier is one of the authors.

The time has come for ifeu to move – back to the old address, Wilckensstr. 3 in 69120 Heidelberg, but into a completely new, climate-optimised building! As expected, when moving, there are always one or two small disturbances – so if we are not reachable by phone in the next few days (which we hope not), please contact us by mail. You can find the email addresses of our employees on our team page.

The short film Amazi n’ubutaka – Water and Soil documents the work of ifeu scientist Christin Zeitz on the Rapid Planning Entry Project in Kigali/Rwanda. Watch the film now online at YouTube.

ifeu wishes you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2020.