Figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that while Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions will comply with its Kyoto Protocol obligations (2008–2012), Ireland is at significant risk of not meeting our EU 2020 targets even under the best-case scenario. EPA projections for the period 2012 to 2020 show: *Ireland can comply with its Kyoto … Read more
The Governments of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have agreed to commission a joint North-South study on all-island air quality. In particular, the study will examine the issue of residential burning of smoky coal. The Study will look at the island-wide effects on air quality of smoky coal burning and is expected to … Read more
The Environmental Protection Agency has launched Ireland’s new Air Quality Index for Health. This web-based index, developed in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, Met Éireann and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government shows what the current air quality is across Ireland. The Air Quality Index for Health is a coloured scale … Read more
Last year, some 1,876 million tonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gases were emitted from stationary installations by the 27 countries that participate in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), plus Norway in line with predictions from Thomson Reuters Point Carbon, the leading provider of market intelligence, news, analysis, forecasting and advisory services for the … Read more
Clare County Council has welcomed the announcement by An Bord Pleanala of its decision to approve the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme. The estimated cost of the project is Eur40 million. The scheme will lead to a reduction in traffic volumes through Killaloe/Ballina resulting in improvements to the local environment. The … Read more
Road charges for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs or lorries) should reflect the varied health effects of traffic pollution in different European countries. This means charges should be much higher in some countries compared to others, according to analysis from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Overall, air pollution is estimated to cause 3 million sick days … Read more
Irish Corporate Leaders on Climate Change have welcomed the publication of an outline climate bill but have expressed disappointment that the draft does not contain a 2050 target for Ireland’s emissions. Irish Corporate Leaders support the inclusion of the EU objective for 2050 of emissions reductions of at least 80%. The Irish Corporte Leaders on … Read more
The way the world is lit up could be revolutionised by a new European-wide research project being lead by the University of Dundee in Scotland. The €8.4 million NEWLED project aims to develop a new generation of white light-emitting LED lights, which would be much more efficient than existing light bulbs. It is estimated that … Read more
The EPA has published figures for four key air pollutants responsible for long-range transboundary air pollution such as acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone pollution. This latest information from the EPA shows that in 2011, emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) were above the specified EU emission ceiling. While some reductions in NOx levels from the transport … Read more
Revised regulations on decorative paints and solvents were published on January 1st 2013. Re-sprayers and dry cleaners are required by law to register with their local authority, and have their premises inspected to ensure that they use appropriate products, dispose of waste in an appropriate manner and take measures to protect the environment. Commenting on … Read more