Irish Economy Most Vulnerable to Potential Oil and Gas Price Shocks

Ireland’s GDP could fall by as much as 7.5% if the world was to experience a sudden oil or gas price rise, according to a report launched by Siemens. The report, which examines the economic impacts for Ireland of different high oil and gas price scenarios, highlights the particular vulnerability of the Irish economy to … Read more

Panda Waste Mark 2010th Brown Bin Collected in Newly Introduced Service

Panda Waste has announced its 2010th brown bin collected since it introduced its service to comply with the newly introduced food regulations. The new EU Directive regulations state that food waste must be segregated from non-biodegradable materials, other waste and contaminants. The service is available to cafes, restaurants, fast food outlets and catering facilities from … Read more

UK Biofuels Exceeding Government Targets

According to the latest report by the Renewable Fuels Agency, almost 1.6 billion litres of biofuels were used in the UK in the twelve months since April 2009, accounting for 3.33% of total road transport fuel, exceeding the British Government’s target of 3.25%. This has resulted in significant carbon savings of 51% compared to petrol … Read more

JFC Manufacturing Wins Environment Product Award

JFC Manufacturing, the Tuam-based based plastics company, has received the Product Award in the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) Business Awards for the Environment. JFC won the award for converting waste stream bottles, into a raw material for use in the manufacture of pipes. These pipes are used as part of a storm water … Read more

EU Urged to Allow Forest Carbon Sinks to Offset Ireland’s Emissions

The European Union should agree that forest carbon sinks can be used to offset Ireland’s non-Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) emissions, a new report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Food has recommended. In a report on the European Commission’s Green Paper … Read more

Accelerated Captial Allowance Scheme Assists keepITsafe to Slash Costs

The Accelerated Capital Allowance scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, allows companies to buy energy efficient equipment and write off its full cost against corporation tax in the year of purchase. Through this scheme keepITsafe, Ireland’s largest online backup company, purchased Eur80,000 of energy efficient servers, reducing the company’s annual data centre running costs … Read more

New Planning Bill Marks a New Era

The enactment of new planning laws will see the beginning this summer of a transformation in how we plan our towns, cities and regions, according to Minister of State with responsibility for Planning and Sustainable Development, Ciaran Cuffe, TD. Staff at the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government will begin work this summer … Read more

FLI Environmental Wins Major Contract in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert

Waterford-based FLI Environmental, a global and diversified environmental services company, has secured a Eur1.6 million contract to construct the Maiga Mountain Reservoir in the province of Umnogabi in Mongolia. Already a four-strong team from Tramore and Waterford, consisting of an FLI project manager and three technicians, has been dispatched to begin construction of two reservoirs … Read more

Future ISO 50001 on Energy Management Progresses to Draft International Standard

The future ISO 50001 standard for energy management was recently approved as a Draft International Standard (DIS). ISO 50001 will establish a framework for industrial plants, commercial facilities or entire organizations to manage energy. Targeting broad applicability across national economic sectors, it is estimated that the standard could influence up to 60% of the world’s … Read more

Government Launches Consultation on Draft Waste Policy

Public consultation has commenced on the Draft Statement of Waste Policy, which is intended to map the future of waste management in Ireland for the next decade and beyond. The consultation period extends until 1st October 2010. ”The fundamental aim of the new draft policy is to protect the environment, reduce costs for householders and … Read more