The European Commission has published a report on Member States’ performance in the prevention and recycling of waste. This shows that some Member States have made excellent progress, but that we are still some way from achieving the long-term goal of becoming a ‘recycling society’ – one that not only avoids producing waste but also … Read more
The EU 27 will exceed its target of meeting 20% of its gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020, according to the European Wind Energy Association, following analysis of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans, submitted by the EU Member States to the European Commission. “Taken together the Action Plans show that the … Read more
The European Commission has published a report on indirect land use change related to biofuels and bioliquids. The report acknowledges that indirect land use change can reduce greenhouse gas emissions savings associated with biofuels, but also identifies a number of uncertainties. The Commission will now conduct an impact assessment, thereby taking into consideration potential changes … Read more
As Biodiversity Year comes to a close, national environmental groups have launched a showcase of biodiversity projects and events which took place in 2010, at the European Representation offices in Dublin. The showcase event, organised in co-operation with the European Commission representation in Ireland, runs until Friday 17th December, is open to the public, free, … Read more
The committee of experts from European Member States have unanimously agreed the performance targets for the Single European Sky, presented by the European Commission in the areas of environment, capacity/delays, and cost-efficiency for the period 2012 to 2014. The package is designed to deliver significant safety improvements, fewer delays, lower costs and reduced CO2 emissions. … Read more
The European Commission says that this week’s UN climate change conference in Cancun (Mexico) should work towards a legally binding agreement. Key parts of the current agreement on climate change, known as the Kyoto Protocol, expire after 2012 and there is also need for urgent action on the ground. Last year’s international agreement at Copenhagen … Read more
The European Commission is urging Ireland to comply with a law designed to prevent industrial pollution as a number of its agricultural installations still do not meet the requirements of the EU Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), which aims to prevent and control industrial emissions to air, water, and soil. The Commission … Read more
The European Commission is urging Ireland to comply with a 2009 European Court of Justice ruling on septic tanks. The Commission is concerned that a year after the Court ruling, no legal measures have been adopted to ensure that septic tanks are subject to adequate checks and inspections to protect human health and the environment. … Read more
The Government has announced new funding for renewable energy companies in Ireland. Funding will be made available through NER300, a financing instrument managed jointly by the European Commission, European Investment Bank and Member States of the European Union. It will assist eight carbon capture and storage and 34 renewable energy projects in the EU. Single … Read more
The European Commission has presented its energy infrastructure priorities for the next two decades, aimed at making networks fit for the 21st century. In the Communication, the Commission defines EU priority corridors for the transport of electricity, gas and oil. This map of priorities will serve as a basis for future permit granting and financing … Read more