Healthtech and the environment are two interlinked areas that have significant impacts on people’s lives. From pollution to climate change, the environment plays a vital role in determining individuals’ overall health and well-being. 13% of deaths in the EU are attributable to environmental stressors, a total of 630 000 deaths per year; according to the most recent World Health Organization. These deaths could be prevented by eliminating environmental risks to health and reversing environmental degradation.
90% of the aforementioned deaths attributable to the environment result from non-communicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and others.
Germany is known for its leadership in environmental protection. The country has been at the forefront of developing healthtech solutions to address environmental health concerns. These solutions range from using eco-friendly materials in medical devices to creating healthcare technologies that reduce carbon emissions.
In this blog post, we’ll uncover how Germany is leading the way in developing innovative solutions that promote both human health and environmental sustainability.
Germany’s Environmental Involvement
Renewable energy
Germany has made significant investments in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower. As a result, renewable energy accounts for a significant portion of the country’s energy consumption. Germany is a world leader in renewable energy, with around 50% of its electricity coming from renewable sources. The country has set a target to phase out nuclear power and generate 65% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Waste management
Germany has a comprehensive waste management system that emphasizes recycling and composting. This has helped to reduce landfill waste and improve air and water quality. The country has had high recycling rates for a while now. Already in 2002, the country was recycling 56% of its trash and a clear rise has been observed since then.
Environmental regulations
Germany has strict environmental regulations that govern air and water quality, hazardous waste disposal, and the use of pesticides and chemicals. This helps to ensure that the environment is protected and public health is safeguarded. Environmental protection has been set out in the Constitution as a government objective since 1994. The Water Management Act requires the sustainable management of bodies of water.
Germany’s commitment to environmental health has resulted in significant improvements in air and water quality, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. According to the European Environmental Agency, the annual mean concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Germany decreased from 18.6 µg/m3 in 2000 to 12.9 µg/m3 in 2019. This is a reduction of about 30%. The percentage of surface waters that meet the ecological quality objectives set by the European Union has increased from 25% in 1992 to 75% in 2018.
Germany’s primary energy intensity decreased by 39% between 1990 and 2019. However, there is still work to be done to address climate change and other environmental issues, and Germany continues to invest in innovative solutions to these challenges.
In the next chapter, we’ll explore the ways healthtech solutions help the German government and private businesses work on the improvement of the environment.
Environmental Health Solutions
Air Quality Monitoring Solutions
Air pollution is a significant environmental health concern, particularly in urban areas. According to WHO, by reducing air pollution levels, countries can reduce the burden of disease from quite a long list of diseases. Germany has developed advanced air quality monitoring systems that allow real-time tracking of air pollution levels. These systems are equipped with sensors that measure pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. The data collected is then made available to the public through online portals, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their exposure to air pollution.
Reliable air pollution information is now available to the general public from Luftqualität (Air Quality). It is a free and ad-free app by the German Environment Agency (UBA) for Android and iPhone devices.
Additionally, German healthtech companies have developed wearable sensors that monitor personal exposure to pollutants, allowing individuals to take measures to reduce their exposure. Sensors measure the air quality in immediate surroundings. Accurate, certified, and verified in various environmental conditions are the best source of hyperlocal, real-time air pollution measurements.
As for the governmental sector, Germany builds air quality monitoring networks to keep track of air quality in various places such as residential areas, industrial areas, commercial areas, roadside areas, and reference areas.
Air pollution is the second highest risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, and is key to protecting public health. There are various companies in Germany that produce software that helps with air pollution monitoring. Elinext as a software development company can help you with delivering real-time air quality data solutions for governments and businesses to monitor air pollution.
As for current leaders of the industry, we can mention such companies as Scentroid or EnviMan. They use air quality monitoring software developed by German companies to manage air quality data from various monitoring stations, generate reports, and forecast air quality levels. German vendors aren’t the most cost-effective solution, outsourcing is often a better option.
Green Buildings
Buildings are responsible for a significant amount of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Germany has been at the forefront of developing green building solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Germany is widely acknowledged as a global leader in energy efficiency. This includes the use of energy-efficient building materials, renewable energy systems, and smart building technologies. Green building solutions not only reduce environmental impact but also promote occupant health by improving indoor air quality and providing natural light and ventilation. Many factors, including temperature, humidity, light, noise, chemical pollutants, odors, personal health, job or activity requirements, and psychosocial factors, interact to influence the comfort and health of building occupants. Some of the factors can be adjusted thanks to inside sensors and receptors. The others depend very much on the design of the buildings.
We can mention several German companies that help build green using software, like PlanRadar and Architrave. Both are companies that provide cloud-based software for real estate asset management. The functionality of software platforms they use includes managing building data, automating workflows, and ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations.
Green Mobility Solutions
Transportation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with vehicles responsible for a significant amount of air pollution. Germany has developed a range of green mobility solutions that reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation. This includes the development of electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and public transportation systems that run on renewable energy. The German objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 95% by 2050 (compared to levels from 1990) is an ambitious one.
Transport is among the top emitters of GHG and especially urban transport, which accounts for nearly half of the transport-related global GHG today. Several companies created German Partnership for Sustainable Mobility (GPSM). Green logistics with effective fleet management, route planning, or intermodal freight transport help to improve the efficiency of production and trade by reducing the negative footprint of transport.
An example of such a company is Fleetster. Fleetster platform allows companies to track the location and status of their vehicles, manage charging, and optimize routes to reduce emissions.
Water Treatment Solutions
Water pollution is a significant environmental health concern, particularly in developing countries. Well-developed countries take measures as well Germany has developed advanced water treatment technologies that can purify water and remove harmful pollutants. These technologies include membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection. German healthtech companies have also developed portable water treatment systems that can be deployed in disaster areas and remote locations, providing clean drinking water to those in need.
Some examples of companies that offer portable water treatment systems include LifeSaver and Katadyn. These companies offer a range of products for different applications, from personal use to emergency relief efforts. Elinext develops software to support hardware produced by companies working in that sector.
Current Software Leaders in the Environmental Sector
So as we can see from all the facts above, Germany has a strong commitment to environmental protection, and there are several environmental software solutions available in the country to support this effort.
Here are some examples:
Umberto
This company is one of the leading Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) software solutions for sustainability experts. It is used to analyze the environmental impact of products and processes and to identify opportunities for improving resource efficiency.
Quentic
Quentic is a software platform for environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management. It includes modules for managing environmental permits, risk assessments, and waste management, among others.
Ecoinvent
Ecoinvent is a database and software tool for LCA that provides data on the environmental impact of various materials, processes, and products. It is widely used in academic research and industry and is developed by the Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories.
After we completed the research, we couldn’t help but notice that the leading environmental solutions in Germany were designed and executed by either German or Swiss software development companies.
That is definitely not the cheapest option on the market. If you’re looking for more cost-efficient solutions developed for you, have a look and outsourcing companies across the globe. Elinext is one of these companies, and we’d be happy to estimate your environmental project or give you a free software development consultation
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Conclusion
The intersection of healthtech and environmental solutions is a promising area that can lead to a healthier and more sustainable future for all. Germany is taking bold steps towards combining these two fields. Despite the progress made, there is still work to be done to address climate change and other environmental issues, and Germany continues to invest in innovative solutions to these challenges.
There are many reasons why companies should prioritize green business practices, including reducing their carbon footprint, attracting environmentally conscious customers, and improving their reputation as socially responsible companies. Sometimes green technology and solutions, companies can also achieve cost savings in the long run through energy efficiency and waste reduction.
At Elinext, we recognize the importance of green technology and healthy environment solutions. Whether it’s developing software for electric vehicle charging stations, air quality monitoring systems, or green building solutions, our team of experts is equipped to provide tailored solutions to your business.
