The positive downward trend in E.coli in drinking water in recent years continued in 2010, according to a new report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For the first time, large public drinking water supplies in Ireland show similar compliance levels for E.coli to similar supplies in England and Wales, and the Netherlands. These … Read more
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
The Government has decided to appoint Laura Burke as the new director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She succeeds Dr Mary Kelly, who took up a new role as chairperson of An Bord Pleanála in August 2011. Laura Burke has been a director of the EPA since 2004, initially serving as the agency’s … Read more
The EPA has published the allocation of Greenhouse gas emission allowances for the aviation sector under Irish administration as part of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. The EU is in the process of extending Emissions Trading to international aviation. From January 1st 2012 flights landing or departing from airports within the territories of the EU … Read more
The Government has launched ‘Developing a Green Enterprise’, a concise guide for businesses in Ireland to the supports (including State-funded programmes) offered by the various State agencies with responsibility for environment, enterprise development and energy. The Green Enterprise Guide has been developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), … Read more
With barbecues and salad days fast approaching Stop Food Waste is reminding the public that 50% of the lettuce we buy ends up in the bin. While a head of lettuce may seem cheap at around under €1 you can see how quickly this amount of waste can add up in euros over time. The … Read more
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. … Read more
The EPA overall has provided “considerable benefit for Ireland’s environment and for the health and well-being of its people,” according to an independent review of the agency. The review was a commitment in the Programme for Government 2007, and is the first review of the Environmental Protection Agency to be carried out. The EPA welcomes … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more