The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how to achieve a low carbon European economy by 2050. In early 2011, the Commission plans to publish a Roadmap on options for ‘decarbonising’ the European economy by 2050 and the public consultation will feed into this. The roadmap will set out a strategy for reducing … Read more
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 … Read more
A new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that large drop in emissions seen in 2008 and 2009 gives the EU-15 a head start to reach and even overachieve its 8% reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol. Austria, Denmark and Italy, however, need to step up their current efforts until 2012 to ensure … Read more
A recent study by Trinity College, Dublin has found that pollution emissions from licensed industry have fallen due to regulation. Between 2001 and 2007 there were aggregate pollution reductions of 22% for the chemical sector, 28% for the food and drink sector, 40% for the pharmaceutical sector and 45% for the power generation sector. The … Read more
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, which operates the Coca-Cola franchise for Ireland, has officially opened a new energy efficient bottling plant, computerised warehouse, and community-focused visitors centre at Knockmore Hill, County Antrim. The €130 million facility employs 600 people and has the capacity to produce a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages for delivery throughout the entire … Read more
An increasing demand for reduced emissions and energy independence has fueled the need for new technology and the use of alternative fuels in agriculture. One of the most promising developments, the New Holland NH hydrogen-powered tractor, has just made its North American debut. More than just an idea, the NH tractor is a 106 hp … Read more
27 business leaders from companies across Europe have supported the move to drive the European Union to toughen greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. In a letter signed by the 27 company heads and published by The Financial Times, Le Monde and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, EU ministers are urged to push for increased carbon-cutting targets. The … Read more
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
A report by the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security and the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Food, on the European Commission’s Green Paper on ‘Forest Protection and Information in the EU: Preparing Forests for Climate Change’ is being launched today, July 21st, at 10am in the AV Room of Leinster House. … Read more
The European Commission has adopted a Regulation approving the use of a tool to estimate fuel consumption by small aircraft operators as part of their compliance with the EU Emissions Trading System. The tool was developed by the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol). The tool enables aircraft operators with few flights … Read more