The World Energy Council’s (WEC) global ranking of country energy sustainability performance has revealed that most of the over 90 countries assessed are still far from achieving fully sustainable energy systems. The 2012 Energy Sustainability Index, published within the WEC’s 2012 World Energy Trilemma report, ‘Time to get real – the case for sustainable energy … Read more
Water pollution and excessive water use are still harming ecosystems, which are indispensable to Europe’s food, energy, and water supplies. To maintain water ecosystems, farming, planning, energy and transport sectors need to actively engage in managing water within sustainable limits. ‘European waters – current status and future challenges’ brings together findings from nine other European … Read more
Dublin City Council is in the final days of public consultation on whether to extend the current operating hours of the HGV 5+ axle Cordon in Dublin City, and wants to gauge people’s views on the proposal by 5.30pm this Friday (07 December 2012). The current operating hours run from 07.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs, … Read more
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will meet with Dr Brian Motherway, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and the representatives from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, tomorrow, Tuesday, 4th December 2012 to discuss building energy regulations and new draft Building Regulations. Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Committee … Read more
The most recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on dioxin levels in the Irish environment shows that the dioxin levels in all of the samples tested were well below the relevant EU limits. The report is based on dioxin levels measured in cows’ milk in a survey carried out in 2011. The report also shows … Read more
The Government has published ‘Delivering our Green Potential’, a Policy Statement on Growth and Employment in the Green Economy. The document outlines the Government’s ambition for growth and job-creation in the various sectors which make up the Green Economy, as well as the range of actions committed to be delivered in order to deliver on … Read more
Climate change is affecting all regions in Europe, causing a wide range of impacts on society and the environment. Further impacts are expected in the future, potentially causing high damage costs, according to the latest assessment published by the European Environment Agency. The report, ‘Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012’ finds that higher … Read more
Fota Wildlife Park is the first Zoological Institution in Ireland to be accredited with the prestigious international ‘Green Flag’ award. The accreditation, granted by An Taisce, was for their work on the An Taisce ‘Eco-Centre’ Programme and followed two years of sustained work and a rigorous assessment by an expert panel. The An Taisce ‘Eco-Centre’ … Read more
Marine litter is a serious threat to the coastal and marine environment. Marine habitats are contaminated with man-made garbage and other waste, posing growing environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems. Marine litter is composed of up to 80 % plastic, and originates from a diverse range of sources. Plastics tend to persist in the marine … Read more
The emergence of exploration for shale oil and shale gas in some EU countries should be backed up with “robust regulatory regimes”, the European Parliament has said in two resolutions. Member states should also be “cautious” about permitting exploitation of unconventional fossil fuels pending further analysis of whether EU-level regulation is appropriate, say MEPs. Each … Read more