The just released EPA report ‘Air Quality In Ireland 2011 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality’ shows that air quality in Ireland is generally of a high standard across the country and is among the best in Europe. This is due largely to prevailing Atlantic airflows, relatively few large cities and the lack of … Read more
Almost a third of Europe’s city dwellers are exposed to excessive concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM), one of the most important pollutants in terms of harm to human health as it penetrates sensitive parts of the respiratory system. The EU has made progress over the past decades to reduce the air pollutants which cause … Read more
NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic services and solutions, has signed a contract to lead a pioneering project trialling environmentally ‘perfect’ transatlantic flights. The project, entitled TOPFLIGHT, will look to put into operational practice something that has only previously been possible in single, one-off flights. Phase one will see 60 transatlantic flights where … Read more
The Government has launched the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week in Ireland (24-30th September). Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is an initiative being introduced by organisations active in energy and related industries with a view to educating the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. A major part of the campaign will focus on preventative … Read more
Quantifying noise exposure will be significantly easier thanks to a new set of common noise assessment methods. Comparable data on noise exposure in Europe is a prerequisite to set up EU policies to reduce noise pollution, a growing health and economic concern all over Europe. The new methods – known as Common Noise Assessment Methods … Read more
A collapse in the number of British towns supporting World Car Free Day on 22 September – the annual event that encourages motorists in over 1,000 towns around the globe to leave their cars at home in favour of bicycles, trains and buses – can be blamed on slashed budgets for local government and dwindling … Read more
Greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union (EU) fell by 2.5 %, despite higher coal consumption and a growing gross domestic product (GDP), according to new estimates from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Emissions fell even further in the 15 Member States with a common commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (EU-15), going down by 3.5 … Read more
The provision of two free electric car (e-car) charging points in Ennis town centre is among a series of proposals included in draft bye-laws for the Clare County capital. Ennis Town Council has prepared the Draft On-Street Pay and Display Bye-laws 2012 in relation to the control and regulation of the parking of vehicles within the … Read more
Stricter limits on the sulphur content of shipping fuels are set to improve air quality along European coastlines and reduce the estimated 50,000 premature deaths caused each year by air pollution from ships. The Eurpean Parliament has approved legislation agreed with member states, which requires new general limits to be in place by 2020. “Highly … Read more
Production of passenger vehicles (cars and light trucks) rose from 74.4 million in 2010 to 76.8 million in 2011 – and 2012 may bring an all-time high of 80 million or more vehicles, according to new research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute for its Vital Signs Online service. Global sales of passenger vehicles increased from … Read more