Rio+20 – A Move Towards More Sustainable Transportation

Emissions from transportation are the fastest growing source of global greenhouse gas emissions, with emissions expected to increase 300 percent by 2050, according to research by the Worldwatch Institute. Today, emissions from transportation contribute to approximately 80 percent of the harmful air pollutants that result in 1.3 million premature deaths annually, according to Michael Replogle … Read more

Growth of Carbon Capture and Storage Stalled in 2011

Global funding for carbon capture and storage technology, a tool for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, remained unchanged at $23.5 billion in 2011 in comparison to the previous year, according to a new report from the Worldwatch Institute. Although there are currently 75 large-scale, fully integrated carbon capture and storage projects in 17 countries … Read more

Economic Recovery Brings Return to Growth of CO2 Emissions

A new Worldwatch Institute report stresses the urgent need for cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions. Although global emissions of carbon dioxide (C02) declined slightly in 2009, the beginnings of economic recovery led to an unprecedented emissions increase of 5.8 percent in 2010. In 2011, global atmospheric levels of CO2 reached a high of 391.3 … Read more

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Drop Sharply in 2011 From Ireland's Emissions Trading Companies

Data submitted by the EPA to the EU Commission show that emissions of Greenhouse Gases in 2011 for companies in Ireland covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are considerably lower than in 2010. The data for 2011 shows emissions have dropped sharply to 15.77 Mtonnes from 17.36 Mtonnes in 2010. The reduction is largely … Read more

European Parliament Supports Action to Boost Carbon Price

Pressure is mounting on the EU to raise the carbon price under the Emissions Trading System (ETS) – the EU’s main tool for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions. The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee has just voted by a significant majority in favour of withholding carbon allowances in the ETS – a move … Read more

Innovative Bus Technology to Deliver Cleaner Air Across London

More bus routes across London are set to benefit from vehicles fitted with innovative technology to reduce pollution. In addition, a second 140 sq m green wall is to be installed in central London helping to trapharmful road transport emissions. Transport for London (TfL) has been trialling two types of technology that is fitted to … Read more

Ireland Below EU 2010 Limits For Three of Four Transboundary Air Pollutants

The EPA has published information on Ireland’s position in relation to meeting its 2010 obligations under the National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NEC Directive). The figures show the trends for four key air pollutants over the period 1990 to 2010. These pollutants are sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and ammonia (NH3) … Read more

World’s First Energy Management Systems Standard for UCC

University College Cork (UCC) has become the first third level institution worldwide to be recommended for ISO 50001 Standard (Energy Management Systems). ISO 50001 is an international standard that enables organisations to establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, and consumption. UCC was the first third level institution … Read more

Ireland on Track to Meet Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets

Provisional greenhouse gas emissions figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include trends since 1990, and show Ireland’s status in meeting our obligations set under the Kyoto Protocol. Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.69 million tonnes (1.1%) in 2010. Agriculture remains the single largest contributor to overall emissions, at 30.4% of the total, … Read more

EU Wind Power Makes Step to a 30% EU Emissions Cut Possible

European wind power production will meet a massive 31% of the emissions reduction required by the current EU climate target. According to a new report by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) by 2020, the EU wind industry will avoid 342 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to 31% of the EU’s target of reducing emissions … Read more