The Government is establishing an independent non-statutory Peatlands Council to assist Ireland in responding in a strategic way to the requirements of the EU Habitat’s Directive, which requires Ireland to protect and conserve important peatland habitats. Conor Skehan, a lecturer with DIT’s School of Spatial Planning, has been appointed as chair of the Council. As … Read more
The European Commission is asking Ireland and France to comply with EU legislation requiring Member States to draw up marine strategies to protect their seas. Neither Member State has informed the Commission about the transposition of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, which should have been in place by July 15th 2010. If France and Ireland … Read more
Data submitted by the EPA to the EU Commission show that emissions of greenhouse gases in 2010 for companies in Ireland covered by the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are marginally higher than in the previous year. Greenhouse gas emissions from Irish companies participating in the ETS had declined from 22.43 Mtonnes CO2 in 2005 to … Read more
The CIWM (Chartered Institution of Waste Management) is hosting its AGM in the Derrynaflan Theatre at the Horse and Jockey Hotel near Thurles, County Tipperary at 9.30am on Thursday 28th April 2011. The AGM will include a themed open meeting entitled ‘Biodegradable Waste Treatment in Ireland – A review of progress to date in achieving … Read more
Ireland will generate enough renewable energy by 2040 to effectively cover 100% of the nation’s energy requirements, according to Peter Harte, chairperson of the Irish Wind Energy Association’s Markets Committee. He also sees Ireland becoming a carbon-free power and transport nation, with most, if not all, of our current fossil fuel plants decommissioned by then. … Read more
An over-complicated bureaucratic system is significantly hampering job creation and investment in the Irish renewable sector, according to the Irish Wind Energy Association. IWEA chief executive Dr Michael Walsh says that excess bureaucracy and unnecessary risk is driving investors away from what should be a thriving market. “The absence of a coordinated and cohesive system … Read more
The director of one of Europe’s leading energy producers and owner of indigenous Irish energy supplier Airtricity has warned that Ireland is being left behind in the development of offshore wind and marine generation. Addressing over 400 delegates at the annual conference of the Irish Wind Energy Association, Scottish and Southern Energy Group finance director … Read more
County Kildare-based wind and solar energy group Natural Power Company is to establish a new wind turbine manufacturing plant, resulting in the creation of 50 new jobs over the next three years. Located at in Ballymore Eustace, the company is already a licensed manufacturer of 500kW wind turbines for Belgian company Turbowinds. Natural Power Company … Read more
The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 27 national environmental groups, has asked the incoming government to ensure that it protects the fundamental needs of our society and economy by protecting and enhancing the natural environment. In a detailed submission to the Fine Gael and Labour Parties, the Environmental Pillar outlined what is needed … Read more
According to the latest glass recycling estimates – published one year ahead of the official Eurostat data – more than 67% of glass bottles and jars were collected for recycling in the European Union in 2009. The figures released by FEVE, the EU Container Glass Federation, translate into about 11 million tonnes or 25 billion … Read more