Environmental protection has become one of the international community’s most important tasks. In particular, Germany is contributing in the following areas:
PIC and POP are two important international agreements, the first being concerned with the transfer of hazardous chemicals, and the second with protection against persistent pollutants. In addition, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is working on an agreement covering mercury.
Read more: Chemical safety
In many ways, forests are of crucial importance to humanity’s survival. They play an indispensable role in protecting the climate, regulating the water balance, fighting desertification and preserving biodiversity, as well as in providing a livelihood for the local population and a basis for sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Read more: Forest conservation
The Convention on Biological Diversity is the first international convention that regards biodiversity as a resource controlled by states. Biodiversity is thereby placed on the same level as minerals or other natural resources.
Read more: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
