Zero-polluting hydrogen buses that emit only water vapour have been unveiled in London, providing a boost to plans to improve the English capital’s air quality. The first of a planned fleet of eight will start operating on 18 December using the latest hydrogen fuel cell technology. The buses will form the only hydrogen bus fleet … Read more
The EU directive on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles, which applies to all procurements of vehicles for public transport services from this month, requires public authorities, when buying a vehicle, to take account of its energy consumption, CO2 emissions and pollutant emissions over the vehicle’s lifetime. The clean vehicle directive introduces … Read more
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has released its fourth Environment State and Outlook report – SOER 2010 – a comprehensive assessment of how and why Europe’s environment is changing, and what we are doing about it. SOER 2010 concludes that a fully integrated approach to transforming Europe to a resource-efficient green economy can not only … Read more
Bord Gais has officially opened its first major electricity generating station at Whitegate in Cork. The 445 megawatts gas-fired Whitegate Power Plant is one of the most efficient electricity generation facilities in the world today and is a key strategic development for Bord Gais. It is also a key development for the State as it … Read more
Irish green energy company and willow development specialist Rural Generation has signed a long-term agreement, worth over €5 million, to source and provide willow chips. Willow is the key ingredient for an innovative new eco log which will see a number of ‘green jobs’ being established in Ireland as well as presenting lucrative business opportunities … Read more
The number of groups from around Ireland and Northern Ireland participating in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011 has increased by 40% compared to last year. To mark this increased interest, and give even more young people the chance to get involved in what is set to be Ireland’s biggest ever celebration of Eco-Action, ECO-UNESCO … Read more
New rules to prevent illegal timber being sold on the European market have come into force across the EU. The legislation will strengthen efforts to halt illegal logging, which causes serious environmental damage and biodiversity loss and undermines the efforts of those trying to manage forests responsibly. The Regulation, which was first proposed by the … Read more
Marks & Spencer is continuing to make major progress in its UK and Irish operations towards its Plan A eco and ethical programme to become the world’s most sustainable major retailer by 2015. M&S stores, offices and distribution centres in the UK and Ireland are now recycling 92% of their operational waste, up from the … Read more
Grants of up to €5000 for electric and hybrid cars will be available from January 1st 2011. Grants of €5,000 for the purchase of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and up to €2,500 for the purchase of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are available from 2011 to 2012. This support comes in addition to the zero … Read more
The committee of experts from European Member States have unanimously agreed the performance targets for the Single European Sky, presented by the European Commission in the areas of environment, capacity/delays, and cost-efficiency for the period 2012 to 2014. The package is designed to deliver significant safety improvements, fewer delays, lower costs and reduced CO2 emissions. … Read more