The European Union’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory report, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), shows that emissions have not only continued their downward trend in 2008, but have also picked up pace. The EU-27’s emissions stood 11.3% below their 1990 levels, while EU-15 achieved a reduction of 6.9% compared to Kyoto base-year levels. “The … Read more
A new research report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the geology of West Clare is unsuitable for long term carbon storage, a key technology in the fight against climate change. The study, An Assessment of the Potential for Geological Storage of CO2 in the vicinity of Moneypoint, Co. Clare, was funded under … Read more
John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has officially opened his Department’s new office on the Newtown Road in Wexford. There are now almost 200 staff working in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s Wexford office, with more due to arrive in the coming months. The impact of … Read more
The five star Dromoland Castle in Newmarket-On-Fergus in County Clare, first built in the 16th Century, is on course to be one of Ireland’s first carbon neutral hotels. Part of the exclusive Dromoland Collection portolio of hotels, Dromoland Castle last year embarked on a pioneering ‘2011 Carbon Neutrality Project’ which is being overseen and managed … Read more
The European Commission has sent a first warning to twelve Member States for failing to submit their plans for managing Europe’s river basins, as required by EU water legislation. The Member States involved are: Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain. The river basin plans are the cornerstone of the Water … Read more
NTR, the Irish and international renewable energy group, is selling its UK-based sustainable waste management business, Greenstar UK, to Montagu Private Equity and Global Infrastructure Partners, the controlling shareholders of British waste management company Biffa, for a gross consideration of £135m (Eur162m). The Greenstar business will be merged with Biffa to create the UK’s biggest … Read more
Over 130 water services contacts with a value of Eur1 billion are currently in progress, while a further 340 projects worth Eur1.8 billion will commence construction in the next three years. The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012, the Government’s three-year plan for improving Ireland’s water and wastewater infrastructure in order to comply with EU regulations, … Read more
The Response Group, one of Ireland’s leading water and wastewater treatment companies, has been awarded a long term 20 year contract by Limerick City Council, valued at Eur60m, to operate and maintain the major assets of the Limerick Main Drainage Scheme. The Response Group will deliver the services as part of a consortium it has … Read more
The European Commission has decided to make sure that biofuels used in the EU are from sustainable sources. Member States have agreed on an overall EU target of 10% use of renewable energy in the transport sector, of which 6% to 9% must come from biofuels. The new proposal means that only biofuels which meet … Read more
Committed to reducing the environmental impact of all its operations while simultaneously improving efficiency, IKEA has invested €2.2 million on renewable energy and recycling technologies at its giant new store at Ballymun, Dublin, to make it one of the most advanced ‘green buildings’ in Ireland. IKEA opened its first store in Ireland at Ballymun in … Read more