Contributes to applied environmental protection by promoting cross-sectoral environmental protection and resource management that takes into account all environmentally relevant aspects (material flows and energy, waste management, as well as water, soil, air and noise); advocates for the inclusion of environmentally relevant goals in planning processes and for the design of human activities in an environmentally friendly manner, particularly in urban development, industry and commerce, as well as in the landscape; strives to incorporate environmentally relevant aspects into education and training; shows municipalities how to optimize their environmental activities and promote a forward-looking ecological, economic and social development; and serves as an information platform.