Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the Environmental Protection Agency, will leave the agency at the end of the summer to take up her new appointment as chair of An Bord Pleanala. Dr Kelly has been director general of the EPA since 2002 and has led the EPA effectively through profound change in that time. The EPA is now widely acknowledged as an exemplar of public sector effectiveness, and seen as the champion and independent voice for the environment in Ireland.

Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the EPA.

Dr Kelly led the EPA through two internal Strategic Reviews. The first Strategic Review in 2003 led to major reorganisation and the creation of a new office within the EPA, the Office of Environmental Enforcement. This proved to be a vital and successful step in tackling the many compliance issues from illegal dumping to contaminated drinking water.

The second Strategic Review in 2007 resulted in further reorganisation to bring a greater focus to the Climate Change Agenda with the establishment of the Climate Change Unit, bringing together all EPA staff with climate change responsibilities including emissions trading, research and international negotiation work.

A recent independent review of the EPA endorsed the role and performance of the agency stating that the EPA, since its foundation, has provided considerable benefit for Ireland’s environment and for the health and well-being of its people.

The EPA has welcomed publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Renewable Energy sources and Climate Change mitigation (SRREN). The report shows that global potential for renewable energy is substantially higher than both current and projected future global energy demand. This is the case globally and in most regions of the world.

Currently less than 3 per cent of the globally available renewable energy is being used. This means that more than 97 per cent is untapped. Realising this resource would be a major step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy. The report projects that 80 percent of the world’s energy supply could be met by renewable sources by 2050 if enabling policies are put in place.

Commenting on the report Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general, says: “This is a timely report given the choices we need to make on energy investment, here in Ireland, in Europe and internationally. It shows the potential of renewable energy technologies to provide energy solutions which also have wider economic, social and environmental benefits, including their potential to cut air pollution and improve public health, and increase energy security.”

The six renewable energy technologies reviewed are: bioenergy, direct solar energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean and wind energy.

The report states that the cost of most renewable energy technologies has declined. Some renewable energy technologies are already economically competitive. Technical advancements are expected to further reduce costs. Increasing the share of renewables requires additional short-term and long-term integration efforts. There is a need for advanced technologies to optimize the infrastructure capacity for renewable an area in which Ireland has active research.

The IPCC report notes that enabling policies and measures are required to ensure rapid deployment of many renewable sources. Research is also required to overcome technical barriers. The deployment of renewable energy will benefit from testing centres for demonstration projects.

Two experts from Ireland were lead authors for this IPCC report – Professor Tony Lewis of the Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre, University College Cork and Professor Mark O’Malley of University College Dublin.

Renewable Energy in Ireland

Ireland is committed to the deployment of renewable energy and aims to reach the European Commission target of 20 per cent of its total energy mix by 2020. Ireland is also implementing its National Renewable Energy Action Plan which all Member States were required to submit in 2010. This plan sets out how we intend to reach EU wide renewable energy targets.

Currently, the majority of Ireland’s renewable energy is generated using onshore wind with a small contribution from offshore. Bioenergy is a growing area through the establishment of bioenergy crops such as miscanthus and rapeseed oils as well as traditional forestry biomass. In the agricultural sector, technologies such as biomethane generation from grass and anaerobic digestion of farm and food wastes have the potential to play a key part in mitigating emissions from this sector. There are proposals in place for a state of the art research test bed in Belmullet for wave energy test site in Belmullet. Irish companies such as WaveBob and Ocean Hydro have already gained international attention for the potential of their technology.

The quality of Ireland’s bathing waters remains high, with 97% of designated bathing areas meeting the EU mandatory standards, and classed as being of ‘sufficient’ water quality status, according to the EPA’s recent report ‘The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland – An Overview for the Year 2010’. In addition, 90% of bathing waters meet higher guideline standards and are classified as ‘good’ status. This is an 8% increase compared to the previous bathing season.

“There has been an overall improvement in bathing water quality in Ireland in the 2010 season. While some of this is attributable to the dry summer of 2010, the EPA is confident that measures taken to implement the Water Framework Directive – including licensing of Urban Waste Water Treatment Plants by the EPA – are playing their part in making those improvements,” comments Dr Mary Kelly, director general of EPA. “However, stricter standards for bathing water will be introduced under legislation, which means that greater effort will be needed to ensure that our bathing waters are clean, and fit for the people of Ireland to swim in.”

Ireland can comply with its Kyoto commitments (2008-2012) with regard to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but is predicted to breach its annual obligations under the EU 2020 target, from 2016 onwards. This is according to the EPA’s recently published greenhouse gas emissions projections for the period 2010 to 2020.

The figures show the projected trends for greenhouse gases and give a picture of Ireland’s ability to meet EU and international targets with respect to greenhouse gas emissions. The projections have been submitted to the EU as required.  The projections update the previous set of national emission projections which were published in April 2010 by the EPA.

Two scenarios are developed – one based on policies and measures already in existence or being implemented, and the other on existing measures plus all planned policies and measures which are currently known.

”Our latest projections for greenhouse gas emissions show that Ireland will be able to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitment in 2010. However, the projected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are a direct result of the current economic recession and economic outlook in the short term. In order to meet future targets, Ireland cannot rely on a recession and needs to transition to a low carbon economy,” comments Dr Mary Kelly, director general of EPA. “It is clear from our projections that the implementation of all existing and planned measures will not be sufficient to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the required levels by 2020. Now is the time to make further planned reductions to ensure Ireland does not breach its target in 2016 as projected.”

EU 2020 Targets

Under EU 2020 Targets for non-ETS sector emissions, Ireland is required to deliver a 20% reduction in non-ETS greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (relative to 2005 levels) and keep emissions below annual limits over the period 2013-2020. These non-ETS emissions come from agriculture, transport, residential and waste activities, and exclude main industrial activities which are covered under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Projections indicate that Ireland will breach its annual limit by 2016, in the best case scenario, and exceed its EU 2020 target by between 4.1 and 8.8 million tonnes of CO2e in 2020.

Sector Projections

Transport and agriculture are projected to account for 75% of total non-ETS emissions by 2020. This illustrates the important role that both transport and agriculture will have to play in developing mitigation options for reducing emissions in Ireland and for meeting our 2020 EU targets.

Growth in transport emissions is projected to slow significantly in comparison with historical growth rates. This is attributed to a slowdown in economic growth, which particularly impacts freight transport, and a saturation in car ownership levels as emigration increases.

Whilst agriculture is key to Ireland’s economic growth, employing 150,000 people and producing annual exports of more than Eur7 billion, emissions from the sector are projected to increase by 4% between 2009 and 2020, under the assumption that the Food Harvest 2020 targets will be achieved in full and EU milk quota will be removed.

The EPA has published information on Ireland’s position in 2009 in relation to meeting the 2010 obligations under the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive). The figures show the trends for four key air pollutants – sulphur dioxide (S02), nitrogen oxides (N0X), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3) – over the period 1990 to 2009.

S02, N0X, VOC and NH3 are responsible for long-range transboundary air pollution such as acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone pollution. The European Community, through the National Emissions Ceiling Directive, limits emissions of these four pollutants by 2010 through country specific national ceilings.

Commenting on the figures Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the EPA, says: “EPA emission data for 2009 show that Ireland is already in compliance with the 2010 limit for three of the four transboundary air pollutants. This reflects the success of initiatives such as the incentivisation of sulphur-free transport fuels; the use of cleaner natural gas; the ban on bituminous coals and IPPC licensing controls. Despite reducing N0X emissions 31.3% between 1990 and 2009, these emissions – which are mainly due to increased numbers and use of road vehicles – continue to pose a problem.”

Nitrogen Oxides

The main sources of N0X emissions in Ireland are the transport sector and power generation. Emissions have decreased by 31% between 1990 and 2009 and by 16% in the last year alone. Despite this significant reduction, these figures show that, based on 2009 results, Ireland would exceed its 2010 N0X ceiling of 65 kilotonnes by 24 kilotonnes (37%).

Sulphur Dioxide

Power stations are the principal source of S02 emissions in Ireland. S02 emissions have reduced considerably between 1990 and 2009. These latest estimates indicate a decrease of 82% over the period 1990 to 2009.

Ireland’s national emission ceiling for S02 under the NEC Directive is 42 kilotonnes to be achieved by 2010. Emissions of S02 in 2009 at 32.7 kilotonnes are already compliant with this 2010 ceiling.

Volatile Organic Compounds

The main sources of VOC emissions in Ireland are solvent use and transport. VOC emissions decreased by 41% between 1990 and 2009.

Ireland’s national emissions ceilings for VOC is 55 kilotonnes to be achieved by 2010. Emissions in 2009 at 52.2 kilotonnes are already compliant with the 2010 ceiling.

Ammonia

The agriculture sector accounts for virtually all ammonia emissions in Ireland. NH3 emissions increased by 2% between 1990 and 2009 in comparison with an allowed maximum increase of 10% under the National Emission Ceiling.

Ireland’s national emission ceiling for NH3 is 116 kilotonnes to be achieved by 2010. Emissions since 2003 have already been compliant with the 2010 ceiling. With 2009 emissions at 107.8 kilotonnes. Since the NH3 emissions trend is largely determined by the cattle population, increasing cattle numbers to above 2,000 population levels would push NH3 levels above the National Emission Ceiling.

Despite the difficult economic circumstances during 2010 Ireland’s environment continues to be of high quality, according to the EPA’s End of Year Statement for 2010. ”The EPA has a clear focus on what it needs to achieve as the Agency charged with overseeing environmental protection in Ireland. Limiting and adapting to climate change and making an effective transition to a green economy remain priorities for the EPA and for Ireland’s citizens, communities, businesses and government,” says Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general of the EPA. “Significant on-going investment will be required to resolve waste, water and air issues and much work remains to be done in the areas of transport, energy and agriculture to ensure that economic growth, when it returns, is sustainable.”

Explaining the importance of environmental protection, Dr Kelly adds: “It is crucial that Ireland keeps environmental protection centre-stage. Ireland’s environment is a key strategic asset for the country, which we must protect, manage and invest in to secure a healthy society and a strong, low-carbon and greener economy into the future. The transition to a genuinely low carbon and resource efficient economy has substantial benefits, not only for the environment, but also for the health and well-being of society.”

In terms of investment, the recent water shortages illustrate how fragile the country’s infrastructure can be. “We need to continue to invest in Ireland’s green infrastructure, including waste water treatment and waste management facilities, so that the basic building blocks for a clean and well-protected environment are in place and functioning properly,” she points out.

Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general of the EPA.

On the issue of climate change Dr Kelly comments: “Major challenges still exist in achieving real reductions in greenhouse gases which should not be underestimated. The EU 2020 target is particularly difficult for Ireland to achieve as it excludes those sectors covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme and applies to agriculture, transport, residential and other sectors, where it is much more difficult to achieve reductions. The new Climate Change Response Bill, when enacted, will provide a framework for developing a new Climate Change Strategy to achieve the required targets.”

She continues: ”Developing policies and measures which see Ireland significantly increasing energy efficiencies and its use of alternative energy sources is crucial. We need radical changes in practice in all economic sectors particularly energy, transport, and agriculture, and in our own lives. We also need a better understanding of climate change which is where research comes in.”

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has launched its fourth Environment State and Outlook report (SOER 2010). This report provides an overview of the state of Europe’s environment, how and why it is changing, and what we are doing about it.

The Environmental Protection Agency provided Ireland’s input into the SOER 2010 analysis through the EPA’s Environment in Focus website. Environment in Focus provides accessible, up-to-date environmental indicators and analysis arranged under seven themes – climate change, air, water, waste, land, nature and socio-economics.

Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general.

Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general, comments: “The EPA welcomes the publication of the EEA SOER 2010 report. Many of the issues highlighted by the EEA as challenges for the European environment are also issues in Ireland, as demonstrated by the analysis provided to the EEA through Environment in Focus.”

The EEA report states that a fully integrated approach to transforming Europe to a resource-efficient green economy can result, not only in a healthy environment, but also in a boost to prosperity and social cohesion.

“We support the EEA findings that the transition to a genuinely green economy has substantial benefits, not only for the environment, but also for the economy and society as a whole,” agrees Dr Kelly. “It would give us an opportunity to ensure that economic growth, when it returns, is sustainable. This is an important consideration, particularly in these difficult economic times.”

The report confirms that environmental policy, and actions in related areas, in the European Union and neighbouring countries have delivered substantial environmental improvements. Yet many challenges remain. There are increasing demands on natural resources to feed, clothe, house and transport people. Increased understanding of the links between climate change, biodiversity, resource use and people’s health all point to growing pressures on land, rivers and seas.

The EEA calls for increased resource efficiency and environmental protection, a better understanding of the value of the environment in monetary terms and a reflection of this in market prices – for example through environmental taxes. The Environment State and Outlook report 2010 encourages a greater understanding of the state of the environment and its future outlook and calls for an increased engagement of the public in developing environmental policy.

The Environment State and Outlook report – SOER2010 is available on the EEA website at www.eea.europa.eu/soer/synthesis/synthesis.

Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas emissions fell by 5.4 million tonnes (7.9%) in 2009, according to provisional Greenhouse Gas emissions figures just released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Agriculture remains the single largest contributor to the overall emissions, at 29.1% of the total, followed by energy (primarily power generation) and transport both at 21.1% share. The remainder is made up by the industry and commercial at 14.8%, the residential sector at 12.0% and waste at 1.9%.

The figures show that, while Ireland’s Kyoto limit in the period 2008-2012 is 62.84 million tonnes per annum, Ireland’s combined emissions in 2008 and 2009 were 6.2 million tonnes above this limit when account is taken of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and of approved Forest Sinks.

Dr Mary Kelly, director general of EPA.

”The magnitude of the reduction in Ireland’s annual Greenhouse Gas emissions in 2009 is unprecedented. In particular the 20% cut in emissions from the industry and commercial sector reflects the impact which the severe economic recession is having on industrial output in Ireland,” comments Dr Mary Kelly, director general of EPA.

“While the reduction is welcome in terms of meeting our emission limits for 2008-2012 under the Kyoto Protocol, we need to use this opportunity to embed fundamental emission reductions in the economy in order to meet the very stringent EU 2020 limits which we face and to move permanently to a low carbon economy. We should not rely on a recession to meet our targets for the future.”

Dr Ken Macken, programme manager, EPA, adds: “For the first time in the twenty years for which Greenhouse Gas emissions have been published, this year EPA is reporting reductions in every sector across the board. While some of these reflect the impact of the many improvements which have already been taken to reduce our emissions, it is important to ensure further measures are taken in order to meet our emission limits for 2020 and beyond.”

The provisional summary report of Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions for 2009 can be found on the EPA Website at www.epa.ie/whatwedo/climate/emissionsinventoriesandprojections/nationalemissionsinventores/.

Sectoral Changes

Changes to sectoral emissions between 2008 and 2009 are as follows:
Industry and Commercial – Emissions decreased by 2.3 million tonnes (20.0%) from 11.6 million tonnes in 2008 to 9.3 million tonnes in 2009 reflecting decreases in CO2 from combustion sources and from cement production. In particular, emissions from the cement sector alone decreased by 1.3 million tonnes (38%).

Energy – Emissions in 2009 were 1.6 million tonnes lower than in 2008 which represents a 10.7% decrease. This reflects a reduced demand for electricity from end-users in Ireland. In addition, the contribution of renewables such as wind in electricity consumption increased to 14.1% in 2009 from 11.7% in 2008. Carbon-intensive fuels in power generation decreased in 2009 relative to 2008.

Transport emissions were 1.1 million tonnes lower in 2009 than in 2008.

Transport - Transport emissions were 1.1 million tonnes lower in 2009 than in 2008. This represents a decrease of 7.7%, following sustained increases in this sector since 1990. The decrease primarily reflects the impact of the economic downturn plus the changes in vehicle registration tax and road tax introduced in mid 2008. Emissions in 2009 were 156% higher than the 1990 transport emissions.

Agriculture - The emissions from agriculture decreased by 0.3 million tonnes (1.5%) in 2009, continuing the downward trend from the 1998 peak. The decline in emissions primarily reflects lower sheep and swine numbers as well as a reduction in gas oil use on farms.

Residential – Emissions in 2009 decreased by 699,111 tonnes (0.9%) from the 2008 level. This reflects a slight reduced demand for energy from the residential sector despite 2009 being similar weather wise to 2008.

Waste – Emissions for this sector show a decrease of 52,754 tonnes (4.2%) below the 2008 level which reflects increased methane flaring relative to 2008. Emissions in 2009 are 7.8 % lower than in 1990. The EPA continues to take account of data received from operators on the proportion of methane that is flared and utilised and therefore excluded from emissions reported under the waste sector.

The EPA has launched its new Environment in Focus site. The environmental indicators’ website allows easier public access to environmental data that has been gathered by the EPA and external bodies. Information is presented as a dashboard of key environmental indicators arranged under seven themes – climate change, air, water, waste, land, nature and socio-economics.

Dr Mary Kelly.

“Environment in Focus has been designed to provide concise, up-to-date information about the Irish environment for the general public and policy makers. Presented in an accessible format this website is a clear advance on paper-based indicator reporting,” says Dr Mary Kelly, director general of EPA: “It allows the EPA to fulfil certain EU reporting obligations in close to real-time while providing environmental assessments to stakeholders in a format that is useable for them.”

The website is the culmination of extensive collaboration between EPA staff and external organisations in compiling key datasets on the Irish environment.

Dr Kelly continues: “The indicators demonstrate that Ireland faces particular challenges in meeting international obligations in relation to climate change, water quality, biodiversity protection and waste management. These indicators should provide valuable information for policy makers both in developing new policies and in evaluating existing ones. We also hope that they will allow for a more informed wider debate on the steps required to protect Ireland’s environment.”

Access Environment in Focus on the EPA website by going to www.epa.ie/environment/environmentinfocus/.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has hosted a significant conference on climate change to address the key elements of the Copenhagen Accord, agreed at the December 2009 meeting of the UNFCCC, and to contribute to preparations for the forthcoming conference in Cancun, Mexico in November 2010. The conference was opened by Ciaran Cuffe, TD, Minister of State for Planning, Sustainable Transport and Horticulture, with specialist sessions chaired by the Assistant Secretaries from the Departments of Environment, Transport and Finance.

Over 300 delegates registered for the one day conference held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The conference provided an overall perspective on some of the key challenges presented by climate change for Ireland, and explored developments in the climate science and policy arenas. These include the important target of keeping the global temperature increase to below two degree Celsius (2 C) and a major financial package for developing countries to assist them with adaptation and mitigation actions.

Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the EPA.

Speaking at the conference, Dr Mary Kelly, director general of the EPA said: “The Copenhagen Accord was regarded as a disappointment by many, but it does include very important elements. It provides guidance for the negotiation process, as well as backing for a major financial package for developing country actions.”

Financial support is seen as a key element of a future climate deal including both public and private financing. The conference heard from Dr Andrea Pinna of the European Investment Bank (EIB) about how the EIB will support climate funding. A specialist session on financial and market instruments also considered funding for actions on climate change.

“Addressing climate change is an immense challenge and we don’t have time on our side. This is particularly the case with adaptation to climate impacts, where future climate has to be factored into long term investments and planning,” Dr Kelly pointed out.

A specialist session focused on this issue and heard new analysis from recent research on extreme events in Ireland, as well as ongoing work on assessment of adaptation options.

The conference showcased new research provided by projects funded under the EPA’s Climate Change Research Programme. The Programme, which is coordinated by the EPA, is linked to a number of other state agencies and government departments who support or fund climate change related research.

“Our work on climate change research is a practical example of joined up thinking at government level. This issue demands a coordinated response and that is what we are demonstrating here,” Dr Kelly explained. “Addressing climate change will require major socio-economic transformations for Ireland, Europe and the world. Participation at Assistant Secretary level in the Departments of Environment, Agriculture, Energy, Finance and Enterprise and Innovation is very welcome.”

The EPA report, ‘Science and Sustainability’, has been launched. The report outlines how EPA-funded research has provided significant support for environmental policy and decision making at national and international levels.

The EPA provides funding to scientists, engineers and innovators working on research across a range of thematic areas. This research is closely tied to Ireland’s environmental policy needs, both in terms of filling knowledge gaps for environmental protection and also supporting the green knowledge economy. The new report explains how research underpins environmental protection. It also highlights key achievements demonstrating the benefits of EPA research funding. Examples include:

* Analysis provided by EPA-funded research provided the basis for reporting a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from landfills of 0.7 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent annually. Estimated savings to the exchequer are approximately Eur50 million over the Kyoto Protocol period (2008-2012).

* EPA STRIVE research funding has enabled the development of a Sustainable Development Research Model for Ireland (ISus) which forecasts environmental emissions (to air, soil and water) and natural resource use (energy, land and water) to 2025. Linked to the HERMES macroeconomic model for Ireland, ISus allows integrated planning of economic and environmental development.

“Targeted and reliable environmental research provides an authoritative scientific basis for environmental policy and decision making. Building on our own experience of environmental monitoring, regulation and guidance, the EPA supports a broad-ranging programme of science to inform both environmental policy and eco-innovation,” says Dr Mary Kelly, EPA director general.

The new report, Science and Sustainability, is available to download from the EPA website at www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/research/.